During the 45th week of 2025, eight cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection were recorded in Armenia. In the same period last year, there were 29 cases — 3.6 times higher. This was reported to NEWS.am Medicine by Aida Hovhannisyan, Head of the Statistics and Analysis Department of the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention at the Ministry of Health of Armenia.

According to her, as of the 45th week, 5,499 people visited primary healthcare institutions for acute respiratory infections — nearly the same level as the previous week.

“Compared to last year, we have a slight increase — about 1.2 times. This year, there were 5,490 visits, while during the 45th week of last year, there were 4,565. In addition, there were 440 cases of pneumonia, which remained at roughly the same level as last year and the previous week. Of these, 89.5% were among individuals aged 0–18,” Hovhannisyan said.

According to the specialist, one case of “Hong Kong flu” — the influenza A H3N2 subtype — has been detected in the country.

“During the 45th week of the season, from November 3 to 9, one laboratory sample taken randomly from patients tested positive for the influenza A H3N2 subtype. This is not a new subtype — it has existed for a long time. It is simply the first detected case this season,” she noted, adding that other respiratory infections were also identified, including rhinovirus, bocavirus, parainfluenza, and SARS-CoV-2.

She explained that the A H3N2 subtype is one of the common seasonal flu types circulating worldwide.

“Not only H3N2, but flu in general differs from other acute respiratory infections in its more pronounced and severe onset. It typically begins suddenly, with high fever, general weakness, joint pain, and signs of intoxication. Later, runny nose, watery eyes, and sore throat may appear. Although its contagiousness is similar to other infections, flu tends to have a more severe course. That’s why we always encourage people to get vaccinated — especially those with chronic illnesses, the elderly, pregnant women, and children up to six years old (starting from six months). Last year, H3N2 cases were also detected,” the NCDC representative added.