The representative in Colombia of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Gina Tambiniasked Colombia to continue with free vaccination against various respiratory diseases that affect Colombia.
The expert pointed out that cases of deaths from acute respiratory disease, influenza, covid-19 and whooping cough are increasing nationally due to the major climate changes that have occurred in some areas of the country.
“The flu vaccine is important, “We are experiencing peaks in severe respiratory infections in different age groups, so it is vital that we all get a dose of the flu vaccine each year so that we can prevent these respiratory infections that happening,” he explained.
He confirmed that cases of covid-19 also occur, but internally Colombia has the vaccine against the new variants.
“Colombia has the vaccine against covid-19 and that’s why we want the whole population to get vaccinated and that’s why it has to have at least one dose everyone, but in the case of people older than 60 years and who have comorbidities. must receive at least one dose every year and those who have two chronic diseases every six months” he explained.
The National Institute of Health in its latest epidemiological bulletin warned that from the epidemiological week 30 of 2024, 300 possible deaths were reported in children under the age of five who stay in Colombia due to ARI; 108 have been confirmed, 57 have been rejected and 135 are under investigation. for a mortality rate of 2.97 cases per 100,000 children under five years of age.
He indicated that by 2023, the number of confirmed cases will be 238 according to epidemiological week 30, for a mortality rate of 6.43 cases per 100,000 children under five years of age.
“Compared to the history related to the epidemiological week 30 from 2017 to 2023, significant statistical differences were observed in the number of deaths that could be reported in different territorial groups.
The eyes of the health authorities are focused on the Atlantico, Choco, Risaralda, Vichada, Tolima, Bogotá DC and Antioquia; at the municipal level in Uribia, Cumaribo, Medellín, Magangué, María la Baja, Bajo Baudó, Riohacha, Ciénaga, Puerto Gaitán (Meta) and Barrancabermeja, where the highest mortality rates are in children under the age of five.
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The report revealed that 161,934 outpatient and emergency visits were reported as a result of ARI. Taking into account notification behavior in the last seven years, an increase has been seen in Atlantico, Choco, Cundinamarca, Guainía, La Guajira, Santa Marta, Santander, Vaupés and Vichada.
In Colombia, in the last epidemiological period, week 30, the trend of viral circulation was related to the RSV, enterovirus, rhinovirus, adenovirus, parainfluenza and influenza B viruses.
“When comparing the two epidemiological periods, a significant change in prevalence is observed for RSV and SARS-CoV2; Influenza A is on the decline Due to the spread of influenza, it is recommended to promote vaccination in groups with priority according to the Expanded Immunization Program scheme.”he noted.
Source: Integrated information system
2024-08-07 05:56:08
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