Flu epidemic may have reached peak infection rate

The transmission rate of influenza is very high this season compared to previous years, and although its incidence (almost 400 cases per 100,000 inhabitants) accounts for almost half (935 cases) of all respiratory diseases, the peak period of influenza is starting to decrease. ) and continues to lead to increased hospitalizations, especially among older adults.

The data come from the work of the Surveillance System for Acute Respiratory Infections (Sivira) within the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) and correspond to the first week of January.

According to the report, influenza incidence in primary care showed that after rising for four weeks above baseline thresholds, rates are now starting to fall, from a national average of 430 to 387 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. This phenomenon is evident in all age groups except those between 45 and 64 years old, according to Sivira.

So far, flu severity data shows similar percentages to previous seasons. However, due to the intense circulation, the impact on population health can be significant.

At the same time, the number of hospitalizations due to influenza continues to increase, accounting for 14 cases per 100,000 inhabitants of the total population (compared to 10 cases the previous week), mainly among people over 80 years old: 93 cases were reported. .

However, ISCIII clarified that “severity indicators show values ​​within the range of previous seasons,” even though the spread of influenza has been intense. This was also made clear in a document issued by the Ministry of Health to the community on the occasion of the mandatory use of masks in health centres.

“Influenza severity data so far show that ICU admissions and death percentages are similar to previous seasons. However, due to intense circulation, the impact on population health is likely to be significant,” the letter states.

Reduce all respiratory infections

As for respiratory diseases as a whole, their indicators have also paused, so that the incidence rate detected by family doctors – which serves as an X-ray of the behavior of the virus each season – shows a decrease from 966 cases per 100,000 inhabitants to as high as 935.

Against this background, the spread of SARS COV 2 remains fluctuating, but the number of hospitalizations due to Covid-19 shows signs of decreasing among the most affected groups, namely citizens over 79 years of age.

In the case of bronchiolitis, hospital admissions for the disease continued to rise in children under 1, but admissions in other age groups fell for the second week in a row, although hospital admissions stabilized.

The use of masks, flexible matching and reduction

With these indicators improving in almost all regions, communities could decide to use them more flexibly at health centers if respiratory disease indicators decline for two consecutive weeks.

Spain’s health ministry issued the mandatory measure on Wednesday as the pandemic once again put pressure on hospitals and primary care in many centers across Spain, prompting protests from some communities.

If respiratory disease indicators decline for two consecutive weeks, the autonomous region can decide to allow health centers to use masks more flexibly.

Medical associations and unions blame the situation on the peak of this season’s influenza epidemic and its high transmissibility, but also on the national health system’s lack of vision, staff and means, which has been “underfunded for many years”. Professionals and budget.

For the remainder of the respiratory virus season, both health authorities and autonomous regions are calling for an intensification of vaccination against influenza and covid-19, as well as against bronchiolitis in children. The campaign was launched at the end of September and has already been implemented this season among children under 5 years old. control.

refer to: Primary Care (IRA) and Hospital (SARI) Sentinel Surveillance for Acute Respiratory Infections: Influenza, COVID-19 and RSV – Week 1-7 January 2024. View report here.