Donetsk, Oct 7 – DAN. The number of influenza and ARI cases in the DPR is within normal seasonal fluctuation, below the epidemic threshold, the Ministry of Health said.

"The influenza and ARI situation is positive, the rate of infected patients corresponds to normal seasonal fluctuation and two times below the epidemic threshold," the report reads.

The seasonal influenza and ARI outbreak is expected in late December 2020, reaching peak in February 2021.

Four influenza viruses are circulating in the DPR - A/Guangdong-Maonan/SWL1536/2019 (H1N1) pdm09, A/Hong Kong/2671/2019 (H3N2), B/Washington/02/2019, B/Phuket/3073/2013.

The two latter were not previously recorded in the DPR and a highly intensive epidemic is expected. *ot