Flu cases and hospitalizations decline across all…

Influenza activity decreased in all autonomous regions, with a positivity rate of 28% compared to 36.8% the previous week, and hospitalizations due to influenza, covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) also decreased, according to Carlos III The latest report from the Institute for Health Research (ISCIII) was released on Thursday.

This is what it is collected in weekly report “Sentinel Surveillance of Acute Respiratory Infections in Primary Care (ARI) and Hospitals (SARI): Influenza, covid-19 and RSV” from 15 to 21 January 2024, ISCIII affiliated to the Ministry of Health.

this Overall rate Nationwide IRA Has dropped to 717.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (previous week: 933.3 cases)

This decline was seen in all autonomous regions.

By age group, the highest incidence of acute respiratory infections in primary care is among children under one year old (2,918.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), followed by children aged 1-4 years (2,196.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants). The incidence of influenza syndrome fell for the second consecutive week, and the incidence of bronchiolitis has declined since week 50/2023.

Positive rate

In Week 03/2024, the influenza positivity percentage dropped to 28% from 36.8% the previous week. SARS-CoV-2 also declined (8.6%, compared with 10.7% the previous week), and RSV decreased by 7.1% (compared to 8.6% the previous week). 99.3% of the identified influenza viruses are type A, of which 34.8% are non-A subtype viruses.

As for SARI, the overall incidence rate fell to 21 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (29 cases the previous week), with a decrease seen in all autonomous regions.

By age group, The highest hospitalization rates this week are among adults 80 and older (156.9 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), followed by children under one year old (89.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants).

ISCIII report highlights reduction in influenza incidence in primary care at national level After reaching the activity peak in week 52/2023, the activity peak occurred for the third consecutive week, and the intensity was higher than in previous seasons.

Influenza activity

If normal seasonal patterns are followed, influenza incidence will remain below baseline values ​​for one to two weeks. Influenza activity declined in all municipalities and across all age groups.

The influenza hospitalization rate fell for the third consecutive week to 6.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (compared to 11.0 cases the previous week). Influenza hospitalization rates have declined across all age groups, but are highest among patients aged 80 or older.

In terms of severity, since the start of the season, 36% of hospitalizations due to influenza manifested as pneumonia; 5% admitted to ICU and 6% died.

The same is true for covid-19, whose incidence in primary care fell for the second consecutive week, with the highest incidence observed in the 1-4-year-old group. The covid-19 hospitalization rate is 1.6 per 100,000 inhabitants (3.2 the previous week).

Regarding RSV, the prevalence of this virus in primary care fluctuates downward in all age groups. In hospitals, the rate of admissions due to RSV infection decreased, with 2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (previous week: 4.6).

read more