The Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) has reported a 19 per cent nationwide increase in flu-like syndrome cases during the last two weeks of January compared to the last two weeks of December, emphasising that it is not linked to Covid-19.

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"The subsidiary of 110 collected samples showed a positivity rate of 17 per cent with Influenza Type A (15 per cent) and Influenza Type B (2 per cent) being predominant,” noted Julien Niyingabira, the Division Manager of Rwanda Health Communications Centre at RBC.

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He explained that Covid-19 surveillance is ongoing and there is no new variant reported in the country or upsurge of Covid-19 cases across Rwandan health facilities.

Niyingabira noted that no severe cases have been recorded, stressing that the last admission due to severe Covid-19 symptoms was reported on January 1, 2023.

The surge in flu-like syndrome is primarily attributed to the rainy season and the burden (morbidity and mortality) of Covid-19 remains very low (0.3 per cent).

"There shouldn’t be any cause for alarm. Should there be any need for clarity, there will be communication from RBC or the Ministry of Health,” Niyingabira said.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), older people, pregnant women, and people with underlying health conditions are at higher risk of developing severe disease due to both influenza and Covid-19.

WHO recommends that these categories of people stay up-to-date on their Covid-19 vaccination and get an influenza vaccine this rainy season.

"Children under five years should be vaccinated against influenza as they are at higher risk of severe illness or complications. Whether it’s Covid-19 or influenza, vaccines save lives. They remain the best way to fight these diseases by preventing serious illness or death,” WHO notes.

Apart from vaccination, the WHO recommends other measures to increase protection from respiratory viruses and reduce their transmission. Everyone needs to assess their risk at every step and sustain measures when and where they matter most, as part of their daily routine.

These include staying home if unwell, washing hands regularly, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or bent elbow, and washing or sanitising hands afterward, bringing fresh air into homes by opening windows or doors whenever possible and wearing a mask in crowded, enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces.