Respiratory and flu incidence rises in Slovakia during 40th week

Slovakia recorded increases in acute respiratory illnesses and influenza-like illnesses during the 40th calendar week of 2026, according to figures reported on October 5 by TASR and Prešovské novinky. The rise affected school operations, with teaching interrupted at nine educational facilities across the country.¹²

Incidence rises across both categories

The incidence of acute respiratory illness increased by 8% compared with the previous week, according to TASR, citing Slovakia’s public health authority. Epidemiologists recorded 32,924 cases, although that total is marked as unconfirmed in the dossier. Children under five had the highest age-specific incidence. Nitriansky kraj recorded the highest regional incidence, while Trenčiansky kraj had the lowest.¹

Authorities reported 2,812 cases of influenza and influenza-like illness, an increase of 14.8% from the previous week. Those cases represented 8.5% of reported acute respiratory illnesses. Children under five again had the highest age-specific incidence, while Nitriansky kraj had the highest regional rate and Košický kraj the lowest.¹²

Prešovské novinky reported that 55% of paediatric general practitioners and 43% of general practitioners for adults submitted surveillance data. The proportion of participating doctors was highest in Prešovský kraj and lowest in Bratislavský kraj, according to the outlet.²

Teaching interrupted at nine facilities

The educational process was interrupted at nine facilities during the monitored week: eight kindergartens and one primary school. Prešovské novinky reported that one kindergarten and the only affected primary school were in Prešovský kraj. The outlet said Prešovský kraj was the only region to report a primary-school suspension during the week.¹²

Slovakia’s public health authority said: “Prerušenie výchovno-vzdelávacieho procesu bolo v 40. počas 40. týždňa 2026 zaznamenali prerušenie výučby v deviatich vzdelávacích inštitúciách”. The statement says that interruptions to education were reported at nine facilities in the 40th calendar week of 2026.²

Complications and severe illness reporting

Prešovské novinky reported complications in 1,172 patients, equivalent to 3.6% of all cases. These comprised 766 cases of sinus inflammation, 323 cases of ear inflammation and 83 cases of pneumonia, according to the outlet.²

Both reports said no case of severe acute respiratory illness was reported in Slovakia during the 40th week; Prešovské novinky described this as no such case requiring hospitalisation. The dossier nevertheless classifies the claim as disputed or unconfirmed, so it cannot be treated as independently established.¹²