Saudi Arabia .. Warning on complications of seasonal influenza and monitoring of the XBB mutator

The Saudi Public Health Authority, “Weqaya”, has warned of an expected increase in cases of some respiratory diseases and the Corona virus, as winter approaches, while the Ministry of Health revealed complications of the flu infection seasonal, which could lead to “death”.

And the “Prevention” of the Saudi Public Health Authority predicts an increase in the incidence of these diseases in the next period, stressing that “everyone is at risk of infection, especially those who have not received the vaccine”, according to a statement from the Saudi Arabia News Agency.Was“.

The authority indicated “increased review cases in emergency wards and first aid centers across the Kingdom,” noting that it will continue to monitor coronavirus mutants.

“Weqaya” explained that the submutants of “Omicron BA5 and BA2” are dominant in more than 75% of the positive samples and the “XBB” mutant was detected in a limited number of positive samples, according to the statement.

Respiratory disease monitoring is carried out on an ongoing basis in the authority and includes identification of influenza strains in confirmed cases, where type B virus is the currently common pattern in the Kingdom, followed by viral type A of H1N1 and H3N2 strains , according to a “prevention” statement.

The Public Health Authority has stressed the importance of supplementing Corona vaccine doses, booster doses and seasonal flu vaccine doses, especially for those who have risk factors for complications, such as the elderly and chronically ill.

Preventive measures should be taken against respiratory infections, such as continually washing hands and wearing masks in crowded places, as well as protecting others by applying home isolation in case of symptoms, according to a “prevention” statement.

In a related context, the Saudi Ministry of Health indicated that cases of “seasonal flu” have increased in the Kingdom, which exposes the most dangerous groups to serious complications.

The ministry has published some symptoms of seasonal flu, including “runny nose, sore throat, muscle pain, persistent dry cough, chills, sweating and headaches,” according to a statement on its Twitter account.

The ministry indicated severe complications of seasonal flu, in addition to “pneumonia, bronchitis, ear infections and blood poisoning” and could lead to “death,” according to the statement.

The ministry advised to “wear a mask, avoid touching your eyes or mouth directly, get the flu shot, keep the place clean, wash your hands well and use handkerchiefs when sneezing and coughing”, to prevent infection.