High mortality rates from respiratory infections in Greece

With the start of the 34th Hellenic Pulmonology Conference, the Hellenic Pulmonology Society (EPS) is warning about an increase in dangerous respiratory infections during the holiday season.

The conference, which is taking place from December 17 to 21 at the Divani Caravel Hotel in Athens, this year focuses on severe lower respiratory infections, such as COVID-19, tuberculosis, and other viral infections that threaten public health.

Recent data reveals shocking mortality rates, with lower respiratory infections ranking first globally in terms of causes of mortality in 2021, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

High mortality rates from respiratory infections in Greece

The situation in Greece is no different, with recent studies (EGNATIA, “Evangelismos” Hospital, EODY) showing exceptionally high mortality rates among hospitalized patients.

According to the data, the mortality rate from pneumococcus is 22.3%, from the RSV virus is 16.8%, and from the flu is 12.76%.

During the conference, the EPS presented updated guidelines for vaccinating high-risk groups, recommending an annual vaccination for flu and COVID-19, a one-time vaccination for pneumococcus (PVC20), every three years for RSV, and every ten years for whooping cough.

Professor Paraskevi Katsaounou, Professor of Pulmonology at EKPA and Board Member of the EPS, emphasized the need for organized prevention and early diagnosis.

The increased pressure on the healthcare system, with the “Evangelismos” hospital being a prime example, demonstrates the severity of the issue.

From May 2023 to June 2025, more than 4,500 people were hospitalized for lower respiratory infections, with an average stay of 10 days.

The frequent occurrence of complications and the need for ICU beds significantly increases the operational and financial costs for the healthcare system, making prevention and vaccination critical measures to relieve the system.

At the same time, experts are concerned about the rapid spread of the new “K” strain of the flu, which has caused intense concern about the effectiveness of this year’s vaccine.

Although the “K” strain is not fully included in the current vaccine composition, experts reassure us that the vaccine covers related strains of the variant, providing satisfactory partial protection.

Additionally, clinical data from the UK show that the vaccine is highly effective in preventing severe hospitalizations in ICUs and reducing mortality.

The conference will also present the latest developments in the treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), with Professor Nikos Tzanakis, Emeritus Professor of Pulmonology, highlighting a revolution in therapeutic approaches with new biological drugs such as Dupilumab and Mepolizumab. These drugs have shown significant reductions in disease exacerbations, offering hope to thousands of patients.

Lung cancer prevention was also a key focus of the conference, with Eleftherios Zervas discussing the importance of screening for the early detection of the disease. Greece is participating in European programs such as SOLACE, which are developing modern prevention strategies for lung cancer, enhancing the country’s connection to global research.

Finally, the Hellenic Pulmonology Society promoted the activities of the Respiratory Disease Prevention Unit, which conducts free screenings in remote areas of Greece, reducing geographic disparities in access to specialized healthcare. With actions in 15 regions and 39 municipalities for 2025, the Unit has already examined 1,897 citizens, detecting significant rates of obstructive diseases.