Latest news and stories about respiratory infections in Portugal for expats and residents.
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Epidemic flu activity is slowing in Portugal, with fewer cases of influenza, severe respiratory infections and admissions to intensive care units, but excess mortality persists, says INSA.
Portugal is seeing a slowdown in influenza activity but excess mortality continues. According to the Portuguese Network of Laboratories for the Diagnosis of Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, hospitals reported 73,292 respiratory infection cases and 14,243 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases since 29 September 2025. While incidence appears to be falling, the persistence of excess deaths suggests ongoing severity, possible impacts from co-circulating respiratory pathogens, delayed healthcare presentation or vulnerable populations, and underscores the need for continued surveillance and healthcare capacity planning.
Since the start of the flu season, laboratories have reported 73,292 cases of respiratory infection and 14,243 flu cases have been identified.
Epidemic flu activity is easing in Portugal, with fewer flu cases, severe respiratory infections and intensive care admissions, while excess mortality remains, according to the National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge (INSA).
Laboratory surveillance indicates moderate viral circulation: 850 tests were carried out on 425 suspected cases between 5 and 12 January, with a positivity rate of around 10% for influenza A and B.
It is urgent to demystify RSV, take it out of the shadow of paediatric diseases and put it on the prevention radar for older adults. We can only prevent what we know!
The incidence rate of respiratory infections remains higher in the zero-to-four age group and among people aged 65 and over.
The measure was taken after the threshold of 1,750 weekly consultations for respiratory infections was exceeded.
Severe respiratory infections continue to rise in Portugal, particularly among older people and children, with an increase in flu cases in intensive care last week and excess all-cause mortality, the INSA revealed today.
Portugal has seen an increase in severe respiratory infections, particularly among those over 65, and excess mortality in the North region among people aged 75 to 84, according to data from the Ricardo Jorge National Health Institute (INSA).
In the week from December 1 to 7, 97 cases of severe acute respiratory infection were admitted to the Local Health Units that reported data for the surveillance of this infection.
An electronic platform that monitors the occurrence of acute respiratory infections based on self-reported information from residents in Portugal had been inactive since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The electronic platform, suspended since 2020, monitors the occurrence of acute respiratory infections, not just influenza, based on self-reported information from residents in Portugal.
The participatory surveillance system Gripenet is back in operation today, enabling the public to collaborate in the monitoring and research of respiratory diseases, contributing to a more comprehensive epidemiological view of these infections in the community, announced a researcher from INSA.