First RSV death recorded in Cyprus as seasonal flu fatalities reach 32

A 40-year-old man with underlying health conditions has died from complications related to the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) at a private clinic in Cyprus, marking the first recorded fatality from this virus on the island. Concurrently, the Ministry of Health reported that seasonal flu deaths have reached 32 following the notification of six additional fatalities. According to Ministry spokesperson Dimitris Constantinou, 22 of the total deaths involved individuals over the age of 80, though a four-year-old girl also died from Influenza A two weeks ago. Despite the rise in reported deaths, current data shows a 50% decrease in hospitalizations over the past week, falling from 130 to 68 admissions. Official statistics indicate that the current mortality rate is lower than the previous year, which saw 41 deaths during the same period. Health experts, including Professor Petros Karayiannis, noted that while RSV symptoms often mimic a cold, they can escalate to severe pneumonia in vulnerable populations. Public hospitals remain under pressure with bed occupancy reaching approximately 90% due to the co-circulation of Flu A, RSV, and COVID-19.