SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has been the most common cause of influenza-like illness (ILI) in the country since the 2020 pandemic, according to data from the Department of Health (DOH).
Among those tested with the RT-PCR test, the majority of ILI cases nationally were caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus in 2020 (with 1,194 cases), 2021 (with 8,247 cases), and 2022 (3,541 cases).
ILI infections in 2020 and 2021 with the causative agent SARS-CoV-2 were found in around 98 percent of the total cases in both years. In 2021, ILI cases caused by SARS-CoV-2 accounted for around 89 percent of the total cases.
From January 1 to September 16 this year, SARS-CoV-2 remained the main causative agent of ILI, with a total of 536 cases, accounting for 44.69% of the total samples tested.
Followed by influenza A (15.54 percent), rhinovirus (11.05 percent) and parainfluenza (8.8 percent).
The remainder were influenza B (3.18 percent), adenovirus (2.68 percent), enterovirus (1.87 percent) and respiratory syncytial virus (1.69 percent).
Before the COVID-19 health crisis, influenza A and parainfluenza were the two main causes of ILI infections in the country in 2019. This was followed by influenza B.
Bigger than last year
The World Health Organization defines ILI as an acute respiratory infection with a measurable fever of 38 degrees Celsius or more, accompanied by a cough in the last 10 days.
According to infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante, historical data shows that ILI infections occur throughout the year in tropical countries such as the Philippines.
“Usually the peak is between September and January of the following year,” he said in an online forum, Tuesday.
According to the DOH, there were 193,148 flu-like illnesses reported nationwide from January 1 to December 2 this year. This number is 33% higher than confirmed ILI infections in the same period in 2022.
READ: Increase in cases of flu-like illnesses in slowing PH – DOH
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2023-12-21 22:19:47
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