The Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) points to the increase in weekly cases associated with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children aged 0 to 4 years in the country. The data were released this Friday (4) in a new edition of the InfoGripe bulletin.
The survey, for the period from October 23 to 29, is based on data entered in the Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System (Sivep-Gripe) until October 31.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the main causes of infections that affect the lower respiratory tract of children under 2 years of age. The virus can be responsible for up to 75% of bronchiolitis and 40% of pneumonia during seasonal periods, according to the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (SBP).
The seasonality of VRS starts earlier in the North and Northeast of the country, in February, and later in the Southeast and South, in April. However, the virus circulates throughout the year.
Among the groups at greatest risk of severe RSV respiratory infection are children under six months of age, mainly premature, and those with chronic lung disease and heart conditions, requiring hospitalization in 10% to 15% of cases. In this population, conditions associated with the development of severe disease are due to an immature immune system, few maternal antibodies, and reduced airway capacity.
RSV prevailed among cases as a positive result in the last four epidemiological weeks. The study continues to point to a drop in the prevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes Covid-19.
During this period, the prevalence among cases with a positive result for respiratory viruses was 19.9% for influenza A; 0.6% for influenza B; 26.4% for RSV; and 26.0% for coronavirus. Among the deaths, the presence of these same viruses among the positives was 17.6% for influenza A; 0.0% for influenza B; 2.0% for RSV; and 68.6% for coronavirus.
The bulletin indicates stability in the long-term (last six weeks) and short-term (last three weeks) trends, although it maintains a sign of growth in the age group from 0 to 4 years. In the national scenario, there is a decline or stability in practically all age groups of the adult population.
Survey highlights
Fiocruz’s analysis also highlights that, in the state of Amazonas, there is a slight increase in the presence of Covid-19 cases.
“This data from the Amazon may be associated with the growth in cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome in the adult population”, says researcher Marcelo Gomes, coordinator of InfoGripe, in a statement.
The study points out that the state of São Paulo continues to present significant numbers of cases of influenza A in recent weeks. “The presence of flu cases in São Paulo is still relevant, although it is not translating into an increase in the total number of cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome in most age groups of the adult population, especially in the groups over 50 years old”, says Gomes.
In the Federal District and Mato Grosso do Sul, which showed a recent increase in cases associated with this virus, there are indications that a process of decline is beginning, although laboratory data are still preliminary.
Source: CNN Brasil
I am an experienced journalist and writer with a career in the news industry. My focus is on covering Top News stories for World Stock Market, where I provide comprehensive analysis and commentary on markets around the world. I have expertise in writing both long-form articles and shorter pieces that deliver timely, relevant updates to readers.
