Mexico expects severe flu season

Mexico City, October 24, 2023.

IThe current flu season could be one of the worst on record in Mexicobecause this is the first time Multiple viruses can spread at the same time as Influenza (type A and B), Coronavirus disease and RSV respiratory syncytium This can lead to serious infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

Epidemiologist Jorge Baruch Díaz said this could lead to co-infections in the population and increase the risk of hospitalization, intensive care units and even death.

“This is new to everyone, there is no previous data, and this is the first time that covid-19 has spread significantly along with other respiratory viruses such as influenza A and B and respiratory syncytial virus. So we Extreme precautions must be taken because we have not experienced a season like this before,” said Baruch Díaz, head of the travel clinic at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

He recalled that during this pandemic, the coronavirus was only circulating with other rhinoviruses, mild everyday flu, but not with respiratory syncytial virus or influenza, which are serious illnesses that can lead to complications or Death is much more likely than rhinovirus.

He said that during the influenza season that officially starts in November 2023 and ends in April 2024, the national health system will be under greater pressure than in previous periods.

In addition, at present National vaccination campaignBaruch Diaz added that was “on hold” and Children 6 months to 6 years old (approximately 10 million of them) have no protection against covid-19.

“This population is very vulnerable to complications and even consequences of COVID-19 because they cannot be vaccinated in Mexico,” he noted.

Baruch Diaz pointed out It is expected that at least a large proportion of the general population may be infected at the same time, and this is more likely to occur in people with pre-existing conditions of certain diseases. Examples include immunocompromised (weakened immune system), asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV; who are at greater risk for debut due to co-infection or co-infection with covid-19 and influenza ; Related to covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus or some other bacteria. “

“Co-infection is a very delicate situation, as it triples the risk of ending up in hospital compared to someone with covid-19 alone,” explained the head of the Traveler Clinic.

It also increases the risk of requiring intensive care unit recovery or increases the risk of death by up to 1.2 times. “

Accurate diagnosis will be key, he said, because if more than two viruses are infected at the same time, it will be necessary to analyze each patient and determine the strategy that should be adopted.

He stressed that vaccination is crucial during this season as it can reduce the risk of hospitalization due to severe illness by 60 to 80%.

According to the agency’s data Viral Respiratory Disease Epidemiological Surveillance System (Sisver) In 2023, 357,048 suspected cases have been reported, of which 18,948 (5.3%) have been confirmed to have covid-19, and 1,806 deaths have been confirmed this year.

Information from: Millennium