Portugal is recording fewer cases of flu, and a reduction in hospitalisations in intensive care, according to INSA – the public health institute Dr Ricardo Jorge.
The latest figures for January 5-11 show nonetheless that mortality from all causes remains ‘above expected levels’.
“Excess mortality was identified in all regions of mainland Portugal, in both sexes and in age groups above 65 years,” states INSA’s Epidemiological Surveillance Bulletin for influenza and other respiratory viruses
Since the start of the flu season on September 29, last year, laboratories in the Portuguese Network of Laboratories for the Diagnosis of Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses (Hospitals) have reported 66,524 cases of respiratory infection and identified 13,244 cases of influenza.
In the last week under review, 753 positive cases of the flu virus were identified, 587 fewer than in the first week of January (1,340).
During this period, the proportion of influenza in intensive care units (ICUs) was 9.2% – a decrease compared to the previous week (19.1%), according to the bulletin, which specifies that 11 cases of influenza were reported by the 13 ICUs that submitted information. Four patients were 65 years of age or older, five were between 55 and 64 years of age, and two were between 45 and 54 years of age.
Of the total cases, 10 had underlying chronic disease and 11 were recommended for seasonal flu vaccination, one of whom was vaccinated.
Since the beginning of the season, 130 cases of influenza have been reported by ICUs, with influenza A(H1) virus identified in 8 (6.2%) cases, A(H3) in 13 (10.0%) cases and unsubtyped A virus in 109 (83.8%) cases.
Of the total cases, 113 (86.9%) had underlying chronic disease and 121 (93.1%) were recommended for seasonal flu vaccination, of which only 23 (22.1%) were vaccinated.
The incidence rate of severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) shows a stable trend, with 80 cases admitted to Local Health Units (hospitals) that reported data, the bulletin states, underlining that these cases corresponded to an incidence rate of 10.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
SARI incidence rates remain higher in the 65 and above age group, while the 0-4 age group has shown a downward trend in recent weeks.
Since the beginning of this flu season, other respiratory agents have been identified in 4,866 cases, with 300 cases detected in the week under review – respiratory syncytial virus being the most frequently detected.
Source: LUSA
