Technicians have identified seven cases of the respiratory virus, known as subclade K, all with mild symptoms and without requiring hospitalization, added the Costa Rican Institute for Research and Teaching in Nutrition and Health, part of the Ministry.

The new type of influenza was detected in the country on October 14, during an analysis of samples taken between September and November, the source added.

The disease, which this year began circulating earlier than usual, with a sustained increase since August, according to the World Health Organization, has not yet led to an increase in the severity of illness, hospitalizations, or deaths.

Local authorities clarified that influenza seasons tend to affect older adults more severely.

The Pan American Health Organization, for its part, confirmed that the vaccine against this disease remains effective.

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