The National Institute of Health warns about the prevalence of seasonal viruses, especially influenza A and B, rhinovirus and enterovirus.
The National Institute of Health (INS) offered details about the growing circulation of respiratory viruses in the country, emphasizing influenza A and B, rhinovirus and enterovirus, among others, which affect the upper and lower respiratory tracts.
According to the director of public health surveillance at the INS, Franklyn Prieto, these are seasonal viruses that affect the upper and lower respiratory tract, especially in people with comorbidities.
During the last four weeks of 2023, the INS reported increased circulation of respiratory viruses, such as respiratory syncytial, rhinovirus, enterovirus, and influenza type A and B, mainly affecting children under 5 years of age and older adults. Surprisingly, these viruses surpassed COVID-19 in frequency.
In the last month of 2023, rhinovirus was responsible for 15.7% of severe cases, followed by respiratory syncytial virus with 25.3% and enterovirus with 11.5%. However, in the first four weeks of 2024, influenza type A leads with 14.2%, followed by rhinovirus with 16.3% and respiratory syncytial virus with 13.0%.
Prieto recalled that influenza A viruses, such as H1N1 and H3N2, are known and transmitted from human to human. Despite the greater circulation this year, Prieto emphasized the importance of vaccination, especially in susceptible groups such as children under 5 years of age, pregnant women and adults over 60 years of age.
In relation to the outbreak in the Military Forces, the general director of the INS, Giovanny Rubiano García, clarified that it affected 103 cadets with respiratory symptoms, with influenza type A, rhinovirus and enterovirus being the causes.
“The circulation of these viruses should not be a cause of major concern for the general population, taking into account that these are seasonal viruses that circulate at various times of the year. In any case, it is recommended to keep the spaces ventilated, use a mask if you have respiratory symptoms and verify that the vaccination schedule is complete. “If acute clinical respiratory symptoms occur, such as headache, fever and difficulty breathing, people should consult the nearest medical services,” Rubiano indicated.
The INS is carrying out the pathological analysis of the deceased cadet and assured that the other hospitalized cadets have a favorable clinical evolution. In addition, he urged the population to go for vaccination, review and complete their schedules.
In view of the situation, the INS reiterated the importance of vaccination against influenza and COVID-19, along with the preventive measures known as hand washing, use of face masks and isolation in case of symptoms. It is recommended that people with respiratory symptoms avoid crowded places and that this back-to-school season, those with symptoms do not attend classes or crowded spaces.
The INS will continue to monitor the situation at the Military Forces school and at the national level. The first major peak in respiratory infections of the year is expected to be reached at the end of the first quarter.
