The first case of the 2026-27 flu season, an A(H1N1)pdm09 virus, has been found in Bulgaria. The National Centre of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases said it was detected in a woman in Sofia.
Doctors found the virus in a nose and throat swab. The woman is being treated at the Prof. Ivan Kirov Specialised Hospital for Active Treatment of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases. The National Reference Laboratory for Influenza and Acute Respiratory Infections ran the test, using the Real-Time PCR method.
The same laboratory confirmed the season's first A(H3N2) virus a few days ago.
Nasal flu vaccines for children have already arrived and have been given since 5 October. The Bulgarian Drug Agency says 770,000 doses in total will be delivered for the season.
The Ministry of Health said a delivery of 70,000 doses for the open market is expected in November.