Flu Cases Surge: Peak Approaching, Children Most Affected

The flu curve is still rising, and the peak of cases is approaching, potentially arriving as early as the end of the month. Last week, the RespiVirNet surveillance system of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità reported 695,000 Italians bedridden with acute respiratory infections – approximately 100,000 more than the previous week. As the start of surveillance, around 4 million cases have been recorded, suggesting a record season that could exceed 16 million cases overall. Increasingly, infections are caused by influenza viruses, notably A/H3N2, a known type that has circulated little in recent years. This year, it presents a new strain believed to be responsible for lengthening the flu season in the Southern Hemisphere, where infections remained high for at least a month longer than usual.Simultaneously occurring, a severe flu epidemic is impacting various countries, with particular concern in the United Kingdom, where the British Health Minister describes it as “a challenge never seen as the Covid pandemic” for public health service hospitals.

The Flu is Raging and the Peak is Approaching, Children are the Most Affected

“This week has seen a sustained increase in cases of acute respiratory infections recorded by RespiVirNet surveillance,” stated Anna Teresa Palamara, director of the ISS infectious Diseases department, adding that the increase “is in line with the expected trend for this period of the year.” Predicting the exact peak is tough; it typically occurs between the end of December and the end of January, but infection rates are likely to remain high in the coming weeks. According to the weekly bulletin, between December 1st and 7th, 12.4 out of every 1,000 Italians were affected by respiratory infections. Children under 4 years of age are the most affected age group, with an incidence three times higher (38 per 1,000) compared to the general population. Lombardy, Piedmont, Emilia Romagna, and Sardinia are currently experiencing the highest infection rates. Influenza viruses are responsible for approximately a quarter of cases. Among these, the H3N2 type is currently dominant.other infections are primarily caused by Rhinovirus, Adenovirus, and Parainfluenza viruses.”Let’s remember the main prevention measures,” Palamara adds. “Vaccination, for which there is still time as the virus will continue to circulate for several weeks, rigorous hand hygiene, adherence to respiratory etiquette – such as coughing into a handkerchief or elbow – and avoiding crowded indoor spaces when symptomatic.”

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