Rome - Influenza is rampant in Italy: in the week of December 15 to 21, approximately 950 new cases of acute respiratory infections (ARI) were recorded, with a total incidence of 17,1 cases per thousand patients, a sharp increase compared to the 14,7 of the previous bulletin.
This is revealed by the interactive surveillance report RespiVirNet from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), which estimates a total of 5,8 million cases since the beginning of the season.
The most affected age group remains children aged 0 to 4, with 50 cases per thousand patients. "We are approaching the peak, which will likely be reached in the coming weeks with sustained circulation of respiratory viruses," warns Anna Teresa Palamara, director of the ISS Department of Infectious Diseases.
Unfortunately, some regions have reported an increase in emergency room visits and hospitalizations, especially among the elderly. During these holidays, with more opportunities for socializing, simple precautions are sufficient: ventilation, hand washing, and respiratory etiquette, as explained in the new FAQ "Influenza and other respiratory viruses" on the ISS website.
National virological data
High influenza positivity: 31,5% in the community and 46,2% in hospitals. A(H3N2) viruses dominate, with the K subclade prevalent in sequencing; for A(H1N1)pdm09, all are in the D.3.1 subclade, which is related to the vaccine strains. No cases of "non-subtypeable" influenza A, a possible sign of avian strains.
Focus on Campania
Campania is experiencing a very severe epidemic, similar to Veneto, Bolzano, and Marche, with spikes in cases overwhelming emergency rooms. In Naples, the Santobono pediatric hospital is seeing 80% of admissions for flu-like symptoms in children (high fever, pharyngitis, bronchitis), while at Cardarelli hospital, hospitalizations for pneumonia and severe bronchitis in the elderly are increasing by 35-40%. General practitioners estimate that approximately 50 Campanians are bedridden, with calls for masks and hygiene measures for the vulnerable.
Regional intensity and circulating viruses
High in Sicily, Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio, and Abruzzo; medium in Valle d'Aosta, Lombardy, Tuscany, and Puglia; low elsewhere. Of 3.744 samples analyzed, 1.654 (44,2%) tested positive for influenza, followed by rhinovirus (5,3%), RSV (3,2%), SARS-CoV-2 (2,1%), and others. Admissions and hospitalizations for respiratory syndromes are increasing in monitored regions, data from week 50 (December 8-14). Note: The transition from ILI to ARI complicates comparisons with past seasons.
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (1)
This article clearly shows how the flu is affecting many people in Italy, especially children and the elderly. It's important to follow the recommendations of health authorities to prevent further infections and protect everyone's health.