Peru detects an outbreak of H1N1 influenza in Lima and other regions of the country

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/per%C3%...3%ADs/48487530

Peru detects an outbreak of H1N1 influenza in Lima and other regions of the country
This content was published on May 04, 2023 - 17:12
04 May 2023 - 17:12
3 minutes

Lima, May 4 (EFE).- The health authorities of Peru detected an outbreak of H1N1 influenza that occurs in at least four regions of the country, mainly in Metropolitan Lima, reported Thursday the director of the National Center for Epidemiology, Prevention and Disease Control (CDC Peru), César Munayco.

"We have an outbreak at the level of Metropolitan Lima. We also have Tacna, Tumbes, Loreto, but minor children are being affected, which is why vaccination and the preventive measures that we already know are important," Munayco told Radio Exitosa.

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) official stressed that minors are the group most affected by this disease and asked parents not to send them to school if they have respiratory symptoms, to prevent the spread of the outbreak.

Munayco explained that special attention should be paid to symptoms such as general malaise, coughing, drowsiness, and labored breathing.

The epidemiologist said that this outbreak is part of a health phenomenon that is occurring from the reappearance of some diseases since the end of the health measures taken to deal with the covid-19 pandemic.

"When this pressure goes down, these viruses start to show up. In this case, the H1N1 flu, which hadn't been circulating much in previous years, but is now circulating again," he added.

The CDC Peru issued an epidemiological alert on Wednesday due to the increase in Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) in the country, with the aim of informing the personnel of health establishments nationwide and strengthening the epidemiological surveillance system of ARI, influenza and other respiratory viruses (RVO).

The alert specified that an increase in ARI has been observed at the national level since epidemiological week 12 of this year, in accordance with the patterns observed in previous years, except in the "pandemic" years from 2020 to 2022.

He indicated, however, that "there are regions such as Ancash, Apurímac, Arequipa, Cusco, Huánuco, Junín, Madre de Dios, Puno, Tacna and Tumbes that report a higher increase than what was observed."

The agency specified that influenza "is a viral infection that can cause serious complications, including hospitalization and even death."

"In Peru, the circulation of influenza viruses occurs throughout the year, and periods of viral activity may occur more than once. This suggests a complex mechanism for the seasonal patterns observed, due to climate variability and the diversity of regions present in our territory," he said. EFE

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.infobae.com/peru/2023/05...ones-del-pais/

Lima and three regions suffer an outbreak of H1N1 influenza: authorities ask to take special care of children
Staff from the Ministry of Health stressed that vaccination and the preventive measures that we already know, such as hand washing and the use of a mask, are important.
By Jordan Arce
May 5, 2023

Four regions of Peru, including Metropolitan Lima, have cases of H1N1 influenza, which has been called "an outbreak" by health authorities. The situation is already generating concern in doctors and the population.

César Munayco, director of the National Center for Epidemiology, Prevention and Disease Control (CDC Peru), confirmed this Thursday, May 4, the detection of these infections.

“We have an outbreak at the level of Metropolitan Lima. We also have Tacna, Tumbes, Loreto, but minor children are being affected, which is why vaccination and the preventive measures that we already know are important, ”he told Radio Exitosa.

He warned that with this disease the most exposed are minors, so he urged parents to take precautions so that the virus does not continue to spread.

“Do not send them to schools if they have respiratory symptoms, to prevent the spread of the outbreak,” he said.

He added that special attention should be paid to symptoms such as general malaise, coughing, drowsiness and labored breathing.

In addition, he specified that this outbreak is part of a "sanitary phenomenon" that is occurring from the reappearance of some diseases since the end of the sanitary measures taken to deal with Covid-19.

“When this pressure decreases, these viruses begin to appear. In this case, the H1N1 influenza, which had not been circulating much in previous years, but is now circulating again,” he said.
epidemiological alert

Last Wednesday, May 3, the National Center issued an epidemiological alert due to the increase in Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) in the country.

This with the objective of informing the personnel of health establishments at the national level and strengthening the epidemiological surveillance system, influenza and other respiratory viruses (OVR).

According to the patterns observed by experts, there is a sustained increase in acute respiratory infections throughout the country since epidemiological week 12 of this year.

Regarding this last point, it was detailed that Áncash, Apurímac, Arequipa, Cusco, Huánuco, Junín, Madre de Dios, Puno, Tacna and Tumbes report a “higher increase than what was observed”.

Viral infection

In addition, it was specified that influenza "is a viral infection that can cause serious complications, including hospitalization and even death."

“In Peru, the circulation of influenza viruses occurs throughout the year, and periods of viral activity may occur more than once. This suggests a complex mechanism for the observed seasonal patterns, due to climate variability and the diversity of regions present in our territory," Munayco concluded.