Valencian Community Sees Rise in flu and COVID-19 Cases, Exceeding 2024 Levels
Valencia, Spain - The Valencian Community is bracing for a December with increased rates of influenza and COVID-19 infections, surpassing figures recorded during the same period last year. Health officials report a growing trend in acute respiratory infections (ARI), driven by increased social gatherings and a predominant strain of influenza A.
Current monitoring data reveals an ARI rate of 787.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the Valencian Community,compared to 710 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 2024. This figure also exceeds the Spanish average of 479 cases per 100,000.Incidence of mild ARI rose from 739.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in week 46 to 787.8 in week 47.
The Ministry of health confirms the region is currently in a “low-level epidemic situation.” All age groups are experiencing increases, with the highest rate observed in children under 5 years old, at 3,434.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Influenza incidence has climbed to 44.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, with subtype A being the dominant strain. While COVID-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) rates remain lower, they are present at 13.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants each.
Severe ARI cases reached 12.8 per 100,000 inhabitants in week 47, a slight but sustained increase mirroring levels seen in the same week of 2024 (12.3 cases per 100,000). The increase in severe cases is concentrated among those aged 65 and over, and those under 5, with individuals 80+ experiencing an incidence of 85.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Within severe cases, influenza incidence is 2.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants - an earlier rise than observed last year. COVID-19 incidence in severe cases has decreased to 0.2 per 100,000, while RSV shows a slight increase to 0.9 per 100,000.
The Ministry of Health continues weekly monitoring of ARI throughout the Valencian Community to track the evolution of these infections.
