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Source: https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias...casi-quintuplican-los-de-la-pasada-temporada/
Influenza outbreak in Puerto Rico: cases almost five times those of last season
For several weeks there has been an increase in infections, especially in people under 20 years of age. Salud also warns that most vaccines for older adults are over.
arts, June 27, 2023 - 11:40 p.m.
By Marga Parés Arroyo
Although the peak of the influenza season was in October of last year, Puerto Rico is going through an outbreak of this highly contagious respiratory virus, with 29,894 cases reported as of June 17, a figure that is almost five times the 6,493 cases of the 2021-season. 2022.
"The season came earlier and, since not everyone was vaccinated, the virus continued to circulate," acknowledged yesterday Dr. Iris Cardona, the Health Department's chief medical officer, in an interview with El Nuevo Día.
According to Cardona, during the peak of the season, in October 2022, approximately 2,000 cases were reported per week. Currently, she said, some 933 cases are being reported weekly, which she called high for this date. Likewise, from June 4 to 17, reported cases exceeded the historical average, the seasonal threshold, and the alert threshold. The flu season began on July 3 of last year and ends this Saturday, July 1.
Although her Health surveillance system warns that there is an outbreak of influenza, Cardona reported that there are hardly any vaccines for the adult population. In fact, all seven influenza fatalities reported this season were unvaccinated adults.
“With the increase in cases, the vaccination campaign was brought forward and people responded before December. Right now, most adult (influenza) vaccines are no longer available,” she maintained.
According to Health data, although there are cases in all regions, the highest incidence is in the southern half of the island. As in the previous season, the Ponce region has the highest rate of cases.
"The most affected are minors," said Cardona, reporting that 58% of the reported cases have been in children under 20 years of age or less.
Along the same lines, he commented that, several weeks ago, there was an increase in pediatric hospitalizations due to influenza B. He explained that this type of influenza usually generates more hospitalizations, since in pediatric patients, in addition to respiratory manifestations, there may be gastrointestinal symptoms. that cause dehydration.
Dr. Gerardo Tosca, president of the Puerto Rican Pediatric Society, confirmed the data. "There are many cases, especially of influenza B. And in all ages, although I have been seeing more in adolescents," he explained.
“For a month and a half, (cases) have been going up, but more in the last two weeks,” he added.
Due to the near end of the season, the pediatrician opined that people who did not get vaccinated during this past flu season should get vaccinated in the next one.
Cardona, for his part, indicated that there are still pediatric vaccines in providers that are part of the Vaccination Program. On the other hand, and if some of the few vaccines that remain are not obtained, the adult population will have to wait until September for the vaccines corresponding to the 2023-24 season.
Similarly, he urged people with symptoms of the virus to get tested to avoid infecting others and to stay home in the meantime.
Influenza outbreak in Puerto Rico: cases almost five times those of last season
For several weeks there has been an increase in infections, especially in people under 20 years of age. Salud also warns that most vaccines for older adults are over.
arts, June 27, 2023 - 11:40 p.m.
By Marga Parés Arroyo
Although the peak of the influenza season was in October of last year, Puerto Rico is going through an outbreak of this highly contagious respiratory virus, with 29,894 cases reported as of June 17, a figure that is almost five times the 6,493 cases of the 2021-season. 2022.
"The season came earlier and, since not everyone was vaccinated, the virus continued to circulate," acknowledged yesterday Dr. Iris Cardona, the Health Department's chief medical officer, in an interview with El Nuevo Día.
According to Cardona, during the peak of the season, in October 2022, approximately 2,000 cases were reported per week. Currently, she said, some 933 cases are being reported weekly, which she called high for this date. Likewise, from June 4 to 17, reported cases exceeded the historical average, the seasonal threshold, and the alert threshold. The flu season began on July 3 of last year and ends this Saturday, July 1.
Although her Health surveillance system warns that there is an outbreak of influenza, Cardona reported that there are hardly any vaccines for the adult population. In fact, all seven influenza fatalities reported this season were unvaccinated adults.
“With the increase in cases, the vaccination campaign was brought forward and people responded before December. Right now, most adult (influenza) vaccines are no longer available,” she maintained.
According to Health data, although there are cases in all regions, the highest incidence is in the southern half of the island. As in the previous season, the Ponce region has the highest rate of cases.
"The most affected are minors," said Cardona, reporting that 58% of the reported cases have been in children under 20 years of age or less.
Along the same lines, he commented that, several weeks ago, there was an increase in pediatric hospitalizations due to influenza B. He explained that this type of influenza usually generates more hospitalizations, since in pediatric patients, in addition to respiratory manifestations, there may be gastrointestinal symptoms. that cause dehydration.
Dr. Gerardo Tosca, president of the Puerto Rican Pediatric Society, confirmed the data. "There are many cases, especially of influenza B. And in all ages, although I have been seeing more in adolescents," he explained.
“For a month and a half, (cases) have been going up, but more in the last two weeks,” he added.
Due to the near end of the season, the pediatrician opined that people who did not get vaccinated during this past flu season should get vaccinated in the next one.
Cardona, for his part, indicated that there are still pediatric vaccines in providers that are part of the Vaccination Program. On the other hand, and if some of the few vaccines that remain are not obtained, the adult population will have to wait until September for the vaccines corresponding to the 2023-24 season.
Similarly, he urged people with symptoms of the virus to get tested to avoid infecting others and to stay home in the meantime.