The new Fiocruz InfoGripe Bulletin, released this Thursday (2/5), points to a continued increase in the number of cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in the country. The current scenario reflects the growth in cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza in several regions. The analysis highlights that the expansion of RSV circulation has generated a significant increase in the incidence and mortality of SARS in young children, surpassing those associated with Covid-19 in this age group. Other respiratory viruses that maintain a high incidence of SARS in the population for up to 2 years are Sars-CoV-2 (Covid-19) and rhinovirus.
The number of SARS deaths has remained significantly higher in the elderly, with a large prevalence of Covid-19. In young children, deaths associated with RSV remain largely prevalent in the last eight epidemiological weeks, reflecting the viral circulation scenario during the period. Among the total number of deaths, the increase in influenza A means that the percentage associated with this virus among deaths begins to approach that observed for Sars-CoV-2 in deaths in the last four weeks, as shown in the study. The analysis refers to Epidemiological Week 17, the period from April 21st to 27th, and is based on data entered into Sivep-Gripe until April 29th.
In the last four epidemiological weeks, the prevalence among cases with a positive result for respiratory viruses was 24.3% for influenza A, 0.4% for influenza B, 58.0% for respiratory syncytial virus and 7.9% for Sars- CoV-2 (Covid-19). As for deaths, the presence of these same viruses among those positive was 38.0% for influenza A, 1.1% for influenza B, 11.6% for respiratory syncytial virus and 46.4% for Sars-CoV-2. In relation to the current year’s positive cases, 16.3% are from influenza A, 0.3% from influenza B, 35.8% from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and 35.0% from Sars-CoV-2.
The researcher at Fiocruz’s Scientific Computing Program and coordinator of the InfoGripe Bulletin, Marcelo Gomes emphasizes that given the current epidemiological situation in the country, vaccination is essential. “It is very important that the population seeks, in particular, to be vaccinated against influenza, which has an open campaign, expanded nationally by the Ministry of Health for all age groups. But as it is not the only respiratory virus that is widely circulating, the flu vaccine alone will not solve all the problems, it will obviously help to reduce hospitalizations specifically associated with the virus. Therefore, the use of good masks is also an extremely fundamental ally, especially for anyone going to a health unit, and also for people who have symptoms of a respiratory infection.”
Gomes also highlights the importance of using good masks – such as N95, KN95 and PFF2 – for those who have cold symptoms. Masks, the researcher emphasizes, help reduce the risk of transmission to other people, whether on public transport, at work or in crowded environments. “Take rest, isolate yourself, because this will also help not only with your own recovery, but also reduce the exposure of the rest of the population”, he advises.
States
Twenty-two federative units show growth in SARS cases in the long-term trend: Alagoas, Amazonas, Amapá, Ceará, Distrito Federal, Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Pará, Paraíba, Paraná, Pernambuco , Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rio de Janeiro, Rondônia, Santa Catarina, Sergipe, São Paulo and Tocantins.
In relation to SARS cases due to Covid-19, the sign of decline remains in the states of the Central-West, Southeast and South. In the other regions, the signs are of stability at relatively low levels. The current scenario of the increase in SARS in the country is mainly due to the RSV, influenza A and rhinovirus viruses.
Capitals
Among the capitals, 19 show signs of growth in SARS cases: Aracaju (SE), Boa Vista (RR), Plano Piloto and surrounding areas of Brasília (DF), Campo Grande (MS), Cuiabá (MT), Curitiba (PR) , Florianópolis (SC), Goiânia (GO), João Pessoa (PB), Maceió (AL), Manaus (AM), Palmas (TO), Porto Alegre (RS), Porto Velho (RO), Recife (PE), Rio de Janeiro (RJ), São Luís (MA), São Paulo (SP) and Vitória (ES).
