More children are being admitted to Makarios III children’s hospital in Nicosia over the past few days, mainly due to flu A, with the hospital currently at 85 per cent of its capacity.

Head of the hospital’s paediatric department Avraam Elias told the Cyprus News Agency on Monday that the situation was under control.

He said that on Sunday there were 26 children on the wards and four in intensive care, mostly under a year old.

Most admissions were for flu A, followed by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and microbial pneumonia, mainly pneumococcus. Elia said RSV was the main reason for admissions before Christmas and that currently there was only one child with covid.

Most of the children, he said, were infants under 12 months old, however older children with underlying conditions were being admitted with severe flu symptoms.

Elia said that on a daily basis there were six to eight admissions, and as many discharges.

He added that a small increase in admissions had been recorded compared to a fortnight ago and that there might be a second wave of flu-related infections.

“We have February ahead of us, during which we may see an increase in cases. In any case, the situation is under control,” he said.

Elia called on parents with newborns and infants under three months old to be especially careful, because this age group was very sensitive as it had not yet developed antibodies.

He added that breastfeeding could provide infants with antibodies and protect them from infections.

Infants should not be brought into contact with older children or adults, as some may be asymptomatic carriers.

Referring to flu A, Elia said an antiviral drug was available and should be administered as soon as symptoms appear.