Fiocruz warns of increasing numbers of hospitalizations for Influenza and RSV

Hospitalizations due to the Influenza virus and RSV (respiratory syncytial) increase weekly throughout Brazil, the alert was published on InfoGripe, the Fiocruz website. Deaths from the flu virus are close to deaths from the Covid-19 virus, however, it remains under laboratory analysis.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) increased by 54.9% due to the RSV virus in the hospitalization sector, Influenza A, which is the flu virus, increased by 20.8%; Influenza B (0.3%) and Sars-CoV-2/Covid-19 (14.9%). According to epidemiologists, the update was based on information released by the Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance (Sivep-Gripe), in the last six weeks (long term) and three weeks (short term), between April 7th and 13th, until the 15th, Week Epidemiological (SE). In the national scenario regarding Covid-19, however, the results are downward, with the exception of some states with low stability.

Data for the year 2024 show 33,998 cases of SARS, among them 15,098 (44.4%) with a positive laboratory result for a respiratory virus, 13,003 (38.2%) negative, and 3,813 (11.2%) awaiting results laboratory. Positivity data changes weekly for updating due to the large number of new cases and the inclusion of results.

Regarding the positive cases this year, there is the presence of influenza A (14.2%), influenza B (0.3%), respiratory syncytial virus (29.2%) and Sars-CoV-2/Covid-19 (43 .5%). Regarding SARS cases, and whether there were fever symptoms or not, 2,322 deaths were recorded, 1,411 (60.8%) with a positive laboratory result for a respiratory virus, 728 (31.4%) negative, and 78 (3.4%) awaiting laboratory results. Among the positives this year, influenza A (12.3%), influenza B (0.1%), respiratory syncytial virus (3.1%) and Sars-CoV-2/Covid-19 (81.7%) .

Percentage and prevention

Deaths from influenza A viruses (40.8%), influenza B (0%), respiratory syncytial virus (10.7%), and Sars-CoV-2/Covid-19 (47.3%). The most significant cases are in the elderly, mainly due to SARS and possibly Covid-19.

In children, the numbers show that the age range is up to two years of age. The circulation of respiratory syncytial virus and rhinovirus has massively increased the mortality rate from SARS, being higher than compared to Covid-19 in the same period.

Marcelo Gomes, coordinator of InfoGripe and researcher at Fiocruz's Scientific Computing Program, highlights vaccination and preventive measures, “For the flu virus, we have a vaccine and a vaccination campaign across the country. The flu vaccine, like the Covid vaccine, focuses on reducing the risk of worsening a cold, which could end up triggering hospitalization and even, eventually, death. In other words, the vaccine is simply fundamental. Although the risk of RSV is much higher in young children, we also see hospitalizations in the elderly”, he states.

The researcher also highlighted the use of N95, KN95, PFF2 masks for people who work in health units and for people with symptoms of respiratory infection.

_{Infographic from the Fiocruz website (Photo: reproduction/Infogripe/Fiocruz)}

States

Still on the data collection, in 20 states and the Federal District, the increase in long-term SARS hospitalizations is not only due to Influenza A and RSV, but also due to influenza B.

Among the states with an increase in hospitalizations for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome are Acre, Alagoas, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceará, Distrito Federal, Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Pará, Paraíba, Paraná, Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina, Sergipe, São Paulo and Tocantins.

Regarding SARS hospitalizations due to Covid-19, the results are a drop in the Central-West, Southeast and South regions. In the other regions, there is low stability in the results.

19 capitals show results of a possible increase in hospitalizations, which include Aracaju (SE), Belém (PA), Belo Horizonte (MG), Plano Piloto and surroundings of Brasília (DF), Campo Grande (MS), Cuiabá (MT ), Curitiba (PR), Florianópolis (SC), Fortaleza (CE), João Pessoa (PB), Macapá (AP), Manaus (AM), Palmas (TO), Recife (PE), Rio Branco (AC), Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Salvador (BA), São Luís (MA) and São Paulo (SP).

Featured photo: flu vaccines (Reproduction/Roberto Dziura Jr/Government of Paraná)