Cases of flu and 'cousin' viruses are rising again in Italy, especially among younger children, thanks to the 'up and down' of the weather this strange spring. This is reported in the latest bulletins of the RespiVirNet surveillance system, managed by the Higher Institute of Health. And there are more than 14 million Italians put to bed by infections that still don't seem to want to let go.
“In the sixteenth week of 2024”, from 15 to 21 April, we read, “the estimated cases of flu-like syndrome, compared to the entire Italian population, are approximately 282,000, for a total of approximately 14,399,000 cases since the beginning of surveillance”. In the 7 days analyzed the incidence of flu-like syndromes remained “stable”, equal to 4.8 cases per thousand attended (they were 4.7 in the previous week). They remain “children under 5 years of age are most affectedin which an incidence level of 14 cases per thousand assisted was observed, a slight increase compared to the previous week (13.7)”.
In Tuscany, Puglia and Basilicata, the incidence of influenza & Co. returns to the baseline threshold.
Rezza: “Super queue for ballerina spring”
“We had a very very intense and active flu season, with many cases: over 14 million flu-like syndromes which is a considerable number. And even the final part, the 'tail' that we are experiencing in recent weeks, is equally long and intense, and is accompanied by the still present circulation of other circulatory viruses”. Thanks to “the changes in temperature and a dancing spring and, in certain moments, almost wintry”. This is what Giovanni Rezza, extraordinary professor of Hygiene at the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University of Milan, told Adnkronos Salute about the resurgence of infections in younger children.
When there are strong temperature changes, infections increase especially because “with the cold we tend to stay in closed environments which facilitate contact, as everyone now knows very well after the pandemic experience”. We are, however, “in the final phase of the respiratory virus season: we see some flu in circulation and a small 'soup' of other pathogens, from the respiratory syncytial virus to the most common rhinoviruses”. This year's flu “was certainly heavy and prolonged”, despite the “mild winter”. Now, however, “we expect circulation to continue to decline”. What we are experiencing, “although fluctuating and prolonged, still represents a queue, with lower circulation compared to a month ago. With the rise in temperatures in sight, we will probably all be outdoors more, and we will also see make this long and annoying tail thinner and thinner”.
Lopalco: “Temperature changes are only partly responsible”
“Climatic factors, including 'thermal swings', are only partly factors that facilitate the circulation of viruses respirators. What we know for sure is that the latest flu season, including the tail end we are experiencing, is characterized by an extraordinary intensity of viral circulation”, Pier Luigi Lopalco, professor of Hygiene at the University of Salento, told Adnkronos Salute.
“What we are observing these days – continues Lopalco – is the typical seasonal 'backlash'. It does not change the assessment we have made of the entire flu season: 2023/24 was certainly a very intense season of sustained viral circulation both from influenza viruses and from other 'cousin' viruses, including the respiratory syncytial virus and Covid-19. Unfortunately, given this viral intensity, we did not pay adequate attention to vaccination of failed prevention”, concludes Lopalco.
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