For the second consecutive week this month, there were more deaths in Portugal than expected at this time of year. Flu and cold weather are described as the main reasons for the latest figures released by the Dr Ricardo Jorge National Health Institute.
Between December 6 and 14, Portugal recorded 600 more deaths, writes RTP reporting on the data.
According to José Coutinho Costa, a pulmonologist at the Portuguese Society of Pulmonology, the increase in deaths – particularly among people aged over 65 – is linked to “a weakened immune system combined with external factors”, notably weather conditions.
The drop in temperatures contributes to this scenario, as does the fact that the flu season started earlier.
Every year, flu is associated with an increase in mortality at this time of year. For the second consecutive week, the Dr Ricardo Jorge National Health Institute recorded excess mortality
Since the beginning of the flu season, almost 38,500 cases of respiratory infection and around 5,600 cases of flu have been identified.
Pulmonologists assure that “vaccination remains highly effective and is the best way to prevent complications”.
Up to December 14, more than 2.4 million people had been vaccinated against the flu. This is an increase of 8% compared to last year.
Emergency episodes have increased in recent weeks and several local health units have already activated contingency plans. They have cancelled non-urgent surgeries, increased the number of beds in wards and introduced the use of masks in services.
Flu activity continues to grow in Portugal. The peak of the flu has not yet been reached and may arrive early January.
Since the start of the month, around 1,000 more deaths have been recorded than in the same period last year. The excess mortality from all causes has been concentrated mainly in the North, Centre and Alentejo regions, in both sexes and in people over 75 years of age.
This year began with mortality levels already above those recorded in January last year (2024). Deaths rose again during the summer due to extreme heat, and a further increase is now being seen as temperatures fall and flu cases rise.
According to the influenza epidemiological surveillance bulletin from the Ricardo Jorge Institute, cited by the newspaper Público, 1,269 cases of influenza virus were detected between December 8 and 14, most of them type A. In the same week, 16 cases of influenza were admitted to intensive care.
Serious respiratory infections continue to increase, especially in people over 65 and children up to four years of age.
