Severe acute respiratory syndrome increases in Brazil

Fiocruz's new Infogripe bulletin announced this Thursday (28), that the number of cases of Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) has increased in the population, mainly in children, young people and adults in different states of Brazil, with different types of virus respiratory; The research refers to the period from March 17 to 23, 2024.

Increase in cases

Respiratory viruses refer to Influenza (flu), Rhinovirus and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV); There was also a decrease in SARS due to Covid-19 in the Southeast and Central-West, in addition to a slowdown in the growth of cases in the South of the country. However, in the Southeast, Northeast and South, the number of SARS cases from the Influenza virus increased.

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The researcher from the Scientific Computing program at Fiocruz (Procc/Fiocruz) and coordinator of InfoGripe, Marcelo Gomes, observed that the number of increases in SARS cases in these age groups are related to the Influenza A Virus. “This scenario is fundamentally the same as last week. Maintenance of decline in hospitalizations associated with Covid-19 in the Center-South, contrasting with the increase in RSV and rhinovirus in practically the entire country (including the Center-South) and influenza A in the North, Northeast, Southeast and South”, informs Gomes .

The researcher reported that this situation is in line with the decline in Covid-19, camouflaging the increase in hospital admissions due to other respiratory viruses. Marcelo also highlighted the importance of prevention In cases of respiratory infections, flu symptoms and colds, you should seek medical advice, in addition to resting and wearing a good mask whenever you need to leave the house. Vaccination is also essential. The flu vaccine is available in several places.”

Impact

The SARS scenario due to Covid-19 has a very large impact that affects children up to two years old and adults over 65 years old. RSV has increased the incidence of SARS in younger children, surpassing that associated with Covid-19.

The respiratory viruses with the highest incidence were Sars-CoV-2 (Covid-19) and Rhinovirus, which also affected young children. The influenza virus has increased incidence in children, pre-adolescents and the elderly. However, SARS mortality is high in elderly people who have had Covid-19.

Featured Photo: Virus (Reproduction/Olena T/Getty Images Embed)