Health warns of increases in cases caused by respiratory viruses and reinforces the importance of vaccination

The State Department of Health (SES) released, this Wednesday (24), the Epidemiological Bulletin of Respiratory Viruses with data updated until April 20. The publication shows that Paraíba registered 1,039 cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), with a 35.6% increase in notifications when compared to the last bulletin. The body reinforces the need for routine care, as well as the importance of vaccination, as it is an effective way to prevent worsening of cases and deaths.

For SARS cases, until April 20th, 425 RT-PCR tests were carried out, with 130 cases of Influenza A and 94 cases of Covid-19 being laboratory confirmed. The head of the SES Acute Communicable Diseases Center (NDTA), Fernanda Vieira, highlights that the majority of these cases are distributed at the extremes of age: under 4 years old and over 60 years old. It highlights protection methods to reduce the circulation of the virus and the importance of vaccination to prevent severe respiratory diseases, especially in the most vulnerable groups.

“It is important to remember the precautions we must take to prevent the transmission of these viruses, such as maintaining well-ventilated environments, with windows and doors open; Keep your hands clean by washing your hands or using 70% alcohol gel; Clean children’s toys frequently and do not share personal objects such as cutlery, towels, plates, glasses and bottles. These are simple measures that, combined with up-to-date vaccination, can reduce the spread of respiratory viruses and protect the population in general”, highlights Fernanda Vieira.

SES reinforces that Paraíba is supplied with immunizations that cover Influenza type A and type B and that, despite occupying 2nd position in the National Ranking of Vaccination Coverage, the percentage of this coverage is 28.45%, within the target of 95 % of the target audience, recommended by the National Influenza Vaccination Campaign. A new D-day of vaccination will be held on May 18, with the aim of facilitating the supply of the vaccine to the population. The target audience includes the population most vulnerable to respiratory viruses, which are children aged 6 months to under 6 years of age (5 years, 11 months and 29 days); health worker; pregnant and postpartum women and elderly people aged 60 and over.

Still on the Bulletin, the publication points out that 148 deaths from SARS were recorded until April 20, 2024. Of these, 52 deaths were from Covid-19, 17 deaths from Influenza A, 6 deaths from Rhinovirus, 1 from Parainfluenza 3, 1 from RSV, 1 by Parainfluenza 3 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Of the 17 deaths from Influenza A, the majority occurred in people over the age of 50. Another 16 deaths remain under investigation due to SARS. The Epidemiological Bulletin is available on the Health website, through the link: https://paraiba.pb.gov.br/diretas/saude/arquivos-1/vigilancia-em-saude/be_virus_respiratorios_04_2024.pdf.