05/29/2024 – 19:59
Released this Wednesday, the 29th, the most recent InfoGripe bulletin, prepared by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), reinforces the need for alert regarding hospitalizations due to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SRAG), especially those related to the influenza A virus (which causes flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), one of the main causes of bronchiolitis in babies. The elderly and children continue to be the majority among cases and mortality records.
According to the institution, the current survey reveals a diverse situation in the country, with some states indicating a reversal in the trend of increasing cases, while others continue to record weekly growth. It is worth highlighting that, due to the situation experienced by Rio Grande do Sul, the most recent data needs to be interpreted with greater caution due to possible impacts on the capacity to provide care and electronic records of new SARS cases in the State of Rio Grande do Sul.
The scenario of increased respiratory syndromes in Brazil is mainly related to RSV, influenza and rhinovirus, which are diseases that have SARS as a consequence in severe conditions. For RSV, in some states in the Northeast, Central-West and Southeast, growth interruption or decline is observed. In relation to influenza A, a slowdown is observed in the Northeast and in parts of the North and South of the country.
Among the capitals, 11 show signs of growth in SARS cases: Aracaju (SE), Boa Vista (RR), Cuiabá (MT), Florianópolis (SC), Goiânia (GO), Macapá (AP), Natal (RN), Porto Velho (RO), Rio Branco (AC), Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and São Luís (MA).
In the last four epidemiological weeks, the prevalence of positive cases for respiratory viruses was influenza A (25.8%), influenza B (0.4%), respiratory syncytial virus (56%) and covid-19 (4.5% ). Among the deaths, the presence of these same viruses among the positive cases was influenza A (47.6%), influenza B (0.3%), respiratory syncytial virus (17.6%) and covid-19 (26.6%). %).
Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable
In general, the impact of hospitalizations for SARS continues to reflect a common pattern: it mainly affects the extremes of the age groups considered. This means that both children under two and people over 65 are the most vulnerable groups, with children making up the majority of cases. When it comes to mortality, the rate in children is close to that observed in those over 65 years of age.
As for SARS cases caused by the coronavirus, the incidence is higher in young children and the elderly, while mortality is more pronounced in the population aged 65 and over.
In relation to other respiratory viruses in circulation, such as RSV and rhinovirus, the impact on SARS cases is concentrated in young children. However, the influenza virus is showing an increase in the incidence of SARS in children, pre-adolescents and the elderly. Influenza A-related mortality is also significant among the elderly. In general, the flu virus is dominant among deaths due to acute respiratory syndrome in recent weeks.
InfoGripe coordinator, Marcelo Gomes, calls for care. “In general, we continue to have significant volumes of hospitalizations due to respiratory infections. When we look at the national aggregate, we have a plateau situation, so we continue with the fundamental and basic recommendations, that is, vaccination against the flu, especially for those at risk, and the use of good masks for anyone and everyone who is with symptoms of a cold, flu and anyone who goes to a health unit”, said Gomes.
He also highlighted that, regardless of the reason for going to the health center, wearing a mask is essential to prevent the contagion and circulation of such viruses. “These are small precautions that each of us can take that will end up helping the entire population.”
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