
AI-generated summary
In Russia, the seasonal increase in the incidence of ARVI, influenza and COVID-19 continues. Rospotrebnadzor regularly publishes weekly data on morbidity and recommends vaccination as a key preventive measure.
Brief retelling from RIA II
At the end of the 40th week of 2026, over 688 thousand cases of ARVI, influenza and COVID-19 were recorded in Russia.
Rospotrebnadzor noted that flu vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect against the disease.
MOSCOW, October 6 - RIA Novosti. Over 688 thousand cases of acute respiratory viral infections, influenza and covid were recorded in Russia in the 40th week of 2026, this is lower than the week before, the press service of Rospotrebnadzor told reporters.
“In the 40th week of 2026, over 688 thousand cases of ARVI, influenza and COVID-19 were registered in Russia, which is slightly lower than the previous week,” the report says.

Rospotrebnadzor recommends that, first of all, people with chronic diseases: cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, obesity and lung diseases, as well as young children, the elderly and pregnant women should be vaccinated against influenza.

Epidemiologist Gennady Onishchenko said that new strains of influenza pose a threat because the immunity that Russians received after last season does not protect against them. He noted that influenza remains one of the most dangerous infections in terms of the number of cases and damage to health and the economy. The composition of the vaccine for 2026 has been updated in three components to be effective against new strains.

Researchers have found that the lateral parafacial area of the brain (pFL), which is responsible for breathing, sends signals in hypertension that constrict blood vessels and increase blood pressure. Suppressing this activity in rats normalized blood pressure. The discovery may explain the link between sleep apnea and hypertension.

Epidemiologist Gennady Onishchenko said that the Coxsackie virus will not spread in Russia, even if infected Russians return from Vietnam, and advised citizens to take into account epidemiological risks when traveling abroad, noting that WHO is monitoring the situation in Southeast Asia.

The World Health Organization assessed the public health risk as low following a case of pneumonia of unknown etiology in an employee of the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute, stating all contacts have been monitored and show no symptoms, while Russian officials confirmed the situation is stable and preventive measures are nearing completion.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a statewide disaster emergency due to a rapidly growing measles outbreak, expanding vaccination and testing authority as cases surge across the northeastern US, with 108 confirmed cases reported through October 3.