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Armenia is currently experiencing moderate activity related to acute respiratory infections, according to Romella Abovyan, head of the Department for Epidemiology of Noncommunicable Diseases and Nosocomial Infections at the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

"During the first week of January, the number of visits to primary healthcare centers decreased by 1.8 times compared to the previous week and by 1.6 times from the same period last year," Abovyan told Panorama.am in an interview on Tuesday.

The number of pneumonia cases also declined significantly, dropping by 2.4 times from the previous week and by 1.2 times compared to last year’s figures.

From 1 October 2024 to the first week of January 2025, a total of 757 samples were tested, with the H1 subtype of influenza A, influenza B, rhinovirus, adenovirus and COVID-19 being among the most commonly detected viruses.

Abovyan further noted that a rise in hospital visits is expected this week, as people typically delay seeking medical care during the holiday season.

As a result, the number of patients requiring intensive care for acute respiratory infections has increased. Children aged 0-18 remain the most vulnerable group affected by the viruses.