Burgas municipality introduces preventive measures to limit the spread of flu

Burgas municipality (Southeastern Bulgaria) introduces preventive measures in nurseries, kindergartens and schools to limit the spread of influenza and influenza-like diseases in the winter season of the new year 2024.

Due to the expected peak of influenza A and B in Bulgaria from mid-January, Mayor Dimitar Nikolov has informed the directors of kindergartens and educational institutions to conduct an awareness campaign about the clinical signs of influenza and to take preventive action against the disease.

The measures to be implemented against the spread of influenza include:

1. Use of non-contact thermometers to measure children's body temperature at the entrance to nurseries and kindergartens. If symptoms are observed, medical assistance should be sought immediately and self-medication should not be allowed;

2. Frequent and prolonged (more than 30 sec.) washing of the hands of the children with warm water and soap (upon entry, before meals, after leaving) in nurseries and kindergartens;

3. Use of alcohol-based antiviral hand sanitizers by staff in nurseries, kindergartens, teachers and students in schools;

4. Regular cleaning and disinfection of toys in nurseries and kindergartens;

5. Warn children not to touch their eyes, nose and mouth with their hands;

6. Frequent, intensive ventilation, for short periods, of indoor air - in nurseries, kindergartens and schools;

7. Placing hand sanitizers in public services offices, restaurants and places where groups of people gather;

8. Recommending the use of hand sanitizers in large retail chains, shopping malls, mass cultural and sporting events and other places where large numbers of people get together;

9. Regular ventilation and disinfection of indoor surfaces, public and public transport vehicles, and retirement clubs. Placing hand sanitizers in them;

10. In schools - in the class teacher's lessons - informing students what influenza diseases are, how they are treated and how to protect themselves against them;

11. Wearing protective masks in public places and on public transport is recommended when symptoms appear.

The Municipality of Burgas urges citizens to take care and reminds them that influenza is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads extremely quickly through the air.

The main symptoms of influenza are associated with an acute onset with high fever (over 38º C), headache, muscle and joint pain, malaise and severe fatigue, runny nose, sore throat and cough.

The most vulnerable are children, adolescents, elderly over 65 years of age and persons of any age with a weakened immune system or with concomitant chronic diseases (bronchopulmonary, cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, diabetic, etc.).

The most vulnerable are children, adolescents, the elderly over 65 years of age and persons of any age with a weakened immune system or with concomitant chronic diseases (bronchopulmonary, cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, diabetic, etc.).

Most often, the source of the disease is a sick person who transmits the virus to healthy contacts through respiratory droplets released during coughing, sneezing, talking and exhaling. Infection can occur both by direct contact (e.g. handshake) with the sick person and by contact with contaminated surfaces.