October 25, 2024
The Influenza Observatory, founded 13 years ago as a point of reference for information on seasonal influenza, is expanding its range of action and becoming the Respiratory Virus Observatory (www.virusrespiratori.it). The new portal will be a critical resource not only for influenza, but also for other respiratory viruses, including COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which continue to pose a threat to global public health. The initiative aims to raise awareness among the population on the prevention and management of respiratory diseases, with particular attention to vaccination as a crucial tool for the protection of at-risk categories, including the elderly and people with chronic pathologies. Through vaccination, the risk of serious complications and mortality linked to these infections is reduced, also ensuring less spread among the vulnerable population.
The Prof. Fabrizio PregliascoScientific Director of the Respiratory Virus Observatory, Director of the specialization school in hygiene and preventive medicine at the University of Milan and company healthcare director of the IRCCS Galeazzi Sant’Ambrogio hospital in Milan, underlines the importance of this transformation: “With the transformation of the Observatory, we want to provide the population with complete and up-to-date information on respiratory viruses, which is not limited to seasonal influenza. Correct dissemination of information is essential to limit the impact of these infections, especially in the most vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and people with chronic diseases.”
Vaccination is confirmed as fundamental protection for the 2024/20 winter season: “We expect a season of medium intensity, with around 4-5 million flu cases and another 8-10 million linked to other respiratory viruses – continues Pregliasco – The co-circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and RSV makes vaccination particularly important this year to protect the most vulnerable groups. Getting vaccinated not only reduces the risk of serious complications, but also simplifies the differential diagnosis between influenza and other respiratory infections”.
The portal will offer a series of interactive tools to actively engage users: it will be possible to ask questions to specialists, participate in surveys and view in-depth videos on the main respiratory viruses and prevention measures, with a particular focus on vaccination as a defense tool for public health. The portal, made possible thanks to the unconditional support of CSL Seqirus and GlaxoSmithKline, represents an important support for promote greater awareness and protection of the population against respiratory diseases, especially in an era in which the co-circulation of viruses requires constant vigilance.
For more information and updates: www.virusrespiratori.it
