“I can guarantee that our institutions are prepared and coordinated, from hospitals and health centres to INEM (National Institute of Medical Emergency), the Directorate-General of Health and the National Institute of Health, Dr. Ricardo Jorge, and the Executive Directorate of the National Health Service, to give the best possible response to the Portuguese people, from prevention to treatment,” said Ana Paula Martins.

In a press conference at the Ministry of Health in Lisbon, regarding the increase in flu activity, the minister said that in Portugal, as has happened in other European countries, there is “increasing flu activity in recent weeks, already with a visible impact on health units.”

According to the Minister of Health, the "impact will be more intense in the coming weeks," given that the "flu season started about a month earlier than usual," which may increase the risk for higher-risk groups, such as the elderly or those with chronic illnesses.