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The flu appears to be loosening its grip on the Region of Murcia, with the latest health figures showing a sharp fall in cases and signs that respiratory infections are beginning to stabilise.

 

According to the most recent report from the Sentinel Surveillance Network of the Murcian Ministry of Health, flu cases dropped to 1,312 in the last week, a significant fall compared to earlier this winter. Overall, respiratory viruses across the region have levelled out, registering only a slight increase of 2 percent.

 

The data, released on Tuesday, covers week three of 2026, from January 12 to 18. During this period, the incidence of acute respiratory infections treated in primary care remained broadly stable at 810 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, although this still represents a 10 percent increase compared to the previous week.

 

The most notable change was in influenza. The incidence rate fell by 33.7 percent week on week, down to 82 cases per 100,000 people. Acute bronchitis and bronchiolitis showed a small rise of 4.4 percent, while Covid-19 cases remained unchanged.

 

In real terms, health officials recorded 12,909 new cases of acute respiratory infections over the week. Of these, 1,677 were linked to bronchitis or bronchiolitis, 1,312 were flu cases and just 12 were attributed to coronavirus.

 

Despite the encouraging trend, face masks remain compulsory in healthcare settings across the Region of Murcia, following an extension announced last week. The Official Gazette of the Region of Murcia published the order extending the measure until January 28. It applies to both public and private hospitals, primary care centres, mental health facilities, clinics and primary care emergency services.

 

The mask requirement was first introduced on December 9 after a sharp rise in acute respiratory infections and was later extended until January 14. Health minister Juan José Pedreño said the decision to prolong the measure was taken “always based on the criteria of the Epidemiology Service technicians to protect the population, especially the most vulnerable”.

 

He added that masks also help authorities stay ahead of any potential pressure on the health system. “It is a measure that allows us to anticipate the possible effects that an increase in acute respiratory infections could have on healthcare pressure,” he explained.

 

While the worst of the flu wave may now be passing, health officials continue to urge caution, particularly among older people and those with underlying health conditions.

 

 

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