COVID-19 :
The epidemiological surveillance reports from the Carlos III Health Institute indicates that the coronavirus is the only respiratory disease affecting the Spanish population to date. Ni grippe ni virus syncytial. According to these reports, Spanish laboratories have only counted two cases of syncytial virus at this stage, while last year at this time, they had counted 280. More notorious are the data of Spanish Influenza Surveillance System (SVGE), What has reported only one case of this disease. Last year there were already 65 infections.
Given this decrease in cases, Doctors and Experts Believe COVID-19 Protective Measures Help Prevent All Other Respiratory Viruses, although it is also true that people go to the doctor less and, in the event of a telephone consultation with the specialist, in many cases, they ask you not to leave the house, not even to go to the consultation, For what these diagnoses remain pending.
These are not individual cases
It is also important to note that respiratory virus surveillance systems do not report cases at the individual level, otherwise what they are reported as a whole to calculate an actual incidence. Despite the few cases, the Carlos III Health Institute explains: “The influenza virus is unpredictable and we already had a history of very low circulation of influenza viruses this century, in the 2000-2001 season.”
Carlos Rodrigo, clinical director of pediatrics at the German Trias i Pujol Hospital in Badalona, spoke about the syncital virus, in statements to The country: “At that time, pediatric wards and emergency rooms would be full of children with respiratory infections caused by syncytial virus. But this year, we haven’t seen a single one. The measures against the coronavirus are also very effective for this ”.
“Respiratory viruses have a known sequence: the syncytial begins in October and November, rises then falls and gives way to the flu. After the flu, others come, such as adenovirus, metapneumovirus and paramyxovirus … And then, next summer, the enterovirus. Now, however, none are detected. Only, if anything, the rhinovirus (the one that causes the common cold), although to a lesser extent, ”he told El País Juan Garcia Costa, member of the Spanish Society of Virology.
Ana Martinez, boss of Epidemiological control service of the sub-directorate of surveillance and response to public health emergencies of Catalonia, Notes: “We haven’t seen a single influenza virus. Only rhinoviruses and some adenoviruses, which also cause conjunctivitis, especially in children. They have a greater spread and are seen in young children and it must be remembered that those under six do not use a mask. One explanation is that they are so common and circulate so much that children act as transmitters ”.
Importance of preventive measures
World Health Organization He also echoed this absence of respiratory viruses and publishes in his reports: “The various hygiene and physical distancing measures implemented by Member States to reduce the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have probably contributed to reducing the transmission of the influenza virus.”
“The perception of the consultation is that there has been a decrease in daily cases. After the COVID-19 boom in Wave 2, when we lowered the curve, we stopped seeing cases with respiratory symptoms. I understand this is for protective measures. Every year we recommend the use of a mask, but this year there is of course more sensitivity, ”he says. Jose Maria Molero, from the group of infectious diseases of Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine, for The country.
No more flu shots
This year there was also more flu shots available, due to the pandemic situation, which could have affected this decrease in cases: “Hopefully this will also influence the impact of influenza on the population, especially in the recommended vaccination groups. Yet, it is too early to assess it. Calculations of the effectiveness and impact of the seasonal vaccine each year are only possible well into the season. “, indicates in a note the Carlos III Health Institute.
“The more the population is vaccinated, the more difficult it is for the virus to circulate. Influence certainly, but this vaccine is not as effective as reducing the incidence to zero cases. Of course, we are going to isolate the flu cases, but I don’t think there will be circulation ”, he concludes. Ana Martinez for The country.
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