Influenza blog, week 42: eight new influenza A cases were added
Week 42 saw a total of 3,808 people fall ill with acute respiratory infections, of whom 35% were children. The average number of cases out of every 100,000 people was 286.3. Eight new influenza A cases were confirmed by laboratory tests.
Based on information which had been logged during a targeted survey of acute upper respiratory tract infections (with this survey being known as ‘Sentinel Monitoring’), it can be seen that the intensity of the spread of viruses is low, with the spread of the influenza virus being particularly limited. The total number of patients who sought medical attention did not increase, but the total number of individuals who fell ill with influenza-like symptoms increased by 19% when compared to figures for last week. The number of new cases increased to the greatest extent amongst people over the age of 65 and children up to the age of four, by 55% and 34% respectively. The majority of cases involved children.
Based on Sentinel Monitoring, the new cases are mainly being caused by rhinoviruses. The percentage of such cases amongst other viruses has increased to 41%, while the percentage of parainfluenza viruses amounted to 10.3% of the total, the percentage of adenoviruses to 7.7%, the percentage of SARS-CoV-2 to 5.1%, and the percentage of RSV viruses to 5.1%.
According to the Health and Welfare Information Systems Centre, five patients have been hospitalised due to influenza since the beginning of the season, including one child from the below-four-years age group and four elderly patients.
The intensity of the spread of influenza can be assessed as low, while the influenza spread remains limited.
In 2022, vaccination against influenza is available free of charge for anyone who normally receives general and special care services, plus anyone who is over the age of sixty, pregnant women, children up to the age of seven, and all minors who are included in any risk groups. Free vaccines will arrive at the end of October. The Health Board will provide notification via the normal media channels when vaccinations can be provided to all eligible parties. Read more online.
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FAQ: What should you know about monkeypox?
Although monkeypox continues to spread globally and in Europe, there have been no new cases reported in Estonia since 2022. However, the risk of introducing the disease still exists.
In total, 347 new influenza cases and 1,221 COVID-19 cases were added this week
In week six of the new year, a grand total of 3,642 people fell ill with acute respiratory infections. Overall, 41.8% of all of the new cases involved children. In total, 347 new influenza cases were registered. A total of 1,221 new COVID-19 cases were also added.