The flu epidemic started a little earlier, and it is possible that it will peak at the end of this month. After that, stabilization will occur, said Assoc. Prof. Angel Kunchev in "The Day Begins".
"Bulgaria does not fall into an epidemic situation at once. Next week, when new regions start to be included, normalization will begin in Varna. We have given full freedom to the colleagues from the Regional Health Inspectorates to make the decisions and recommend to the education inspectorates how to teach".
Vaccines work and have done their job, according to Assoc. Prof. Kunchev. Public immunity is achieved with immunization over 70-75% vaccinated, he explained. Regarding the flu, we do not aim for such a percentage, he added.
It is more important for people over 65 to be vaccinated in order to avoid the severe course of the flu and its complications.
Only antiviral drugs affect the virus, clarified Assoc. Prof. Angel Kunchev. They should not be perceived as a vaccine, but used only when there is a real need for them.
"They do not allow it to enter the cell and multiply. And they have an effect on this process".
It is almost impossible to get the flu a second time, said Kunchev.
"The strain that causes the epidemic is usually a monopolist. It occupies the entire space and only towards the end of the epidemic in February do other strains begin to appear".
Regarding chikungunya fever, Assoc. Prof. Angel Kunchev explained that "we are careful because it is breaking through in Europe". "This is an imported disease. Tropical fever. It is not very severe. In 90% of the cases it is overcome".
He recommended that people who go to distant southern tropical destinations keep in mind that every bite carries a risk. There is no vaccine against this disease, he said. Its treatment is symptomatic, he added.