Brazil is discharged from severe acute respiratory syndrome – 03/28/2024 – Health

Cases of Srag (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) continue to grow in the country, in children, young people and adults. The increase is due to the increase, in several states, of different respiratory viruses such as influenza (flu), RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and rhinovirus.

The analysis also shows a reversal of the trend in the increase in Srag cases in the population aged 50 and over, which is attributed to the reduction in Covid infections in the Central-West and Southeast, as well as the slowdown in growth in the South region.

The data is in the InfoGripe bulletin, from Fiocruz, and is based on information entered in Sivep-Gripe (Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System) until March 25th — referring to epidemiological week 12, from March 17th to 23rd.

According to InfoGripe coordinator, Marcelo Gomes, this situation masks the growth in cases of Srag due to other respiratory viruses in these age groups, especially those associated with the influenza A virus.

“This scenario is fundamentally the same as last week. Continued decline in hospitalizations associated with Covid in the Center-South, contrasting with the increase in RSV and rhinovirus in practically the entire country (including the Center-South) and influenza A in the North, Northeast, Southeast and South”, says Gomes.

In some states, such as São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, when the total number of new hospitalizations for Srag is verified, without analysis by age group, a stable scenario is observed. According to the researcher, the drop in Covid camouflages the increase in hospitalizations for other respiratory viruses.

“If we look only at children, where RSV and rhinovirus are mainly present in hospitalizations, we clearly see the sign of a significant increase in Srag”, explains Gomes.

In the last four epidemiological weeks, the prevalence among cases with a positive result for respiratory viruses was 16.1% for influenza A; 0.4% for influenza B; 30.1% for RSV; and 40.7% for coronavirus. Among deaths, the presence of these same viruses among those positive was 13.9% for influenza A; 0% for influenza B; 5% for RSV; and 79.3% for coronavirus.

“In cases of respiratory infections, flu symptoms and colds, you should seek medical advice, in addition to resting and wearing a good mask whenever you need to leave the house. Vaccination is also essential. The flu vaccine is available in several local”, reinforces Gomes.

Incidence and mortality

The incidence of Covid maintains the scenario of greatest impact on children up to 2 years old and on the population over 65 years old. The increase in RSV circulation has generated significant growth among young children and exceeds that associated with Covid in this age group.

In the same group, other prominent respiratory viruses continue to be coronavirus and rhinovirus. The influenza virus has been increasing in incidence in children, pre-adolescents and the elderly.

As for mortality from Srag, it has remained significantly higher in the elderly, with a broad predominance of Covid.

The average weekly incidence and mortality, in the last eight epidemiological weeks, maintains the typical scenario of greater impact at the extremes of the age groups analyzed. However, the increased circulation of RSV has increased the incidence of Srag in children up to two years of age. In terms of mortality, the population aged 65 and over continues to be the most impacted, mainly due to the coronavirus.