lThe mortality rate from influenza this season is estimated at 6% and therefore six times higher than from recent covid-19, increased from the previous year, with a third of hospitalizations ending in pneumonia, although the health impact of the flu wave continues to subside and the number of hospitalizations is slowing.
Such data is contained in reports Surveillance system for acute respiratory infections (SiVIRA), with statistics from the Carlos III Institute of Health concluding that mortality, calculated by taking into account the proportion of hospitalized people with influenza who die over a given period of time, has gained strength again.
“As for seriousness, since the beginning of the season 36% of influenza-related hospitalizations result in pneumonia, 5% result in intensive care unit admission, and 6% result in death. Those hospitalized with influenza have higher mortality rates than in the previous season,” the report said.
The Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine (SEMES) estimates that the mortality rate from influenza among hospitalized patients ranges from 2 to 3%, based on preliminary data published by the Carlos Institute of Health.
Although epidemiologists consulted by EFE indicated that the flu’s impact could be considered “within what was expected” after returning in force after years of pandemic health measures in place.
By comparison, flu death rates are now six times higher than Covid-19.which began to decline when the first Omicron wave subsided in March 2022 until it reached levels of less than 1%, due in part to hybrid immunity acquired through vaccines, as well as previous infection and evolutionary factors of the virus.
Reduces influenza and other respiratory infections
According to Sivira’s report with data from January 15 to 21, The decline in influenza activity is consolidating across all communities and across all age groups. as well as the incidence of respiratory infections in general.
As a result, the flu hospitalization rate for the third week in a row decreased to 6.2 cases per hundred thousand inhabitants: 11 cases with the indicated proportion in the previous week and almost 15 at the peak of the endemic wave.
Thus, Hospitalizations have more than halved since late December. although incomes for people over 79 remain high, warns the Carlos III Health Institute.
As for respiratory diseases in general, their incidence also decreased – from 933 to 717 cases per hundred thousand inhabitants, and the hospitalization rate decreased to 21 hospitalizations per hundred thousand inhabitants (29 in the previous week).
Mortality increased in January
He Mortality monitoring system (MoMo) of the Carlos III Institute of Health has identified in Spain so far in January, that is, according to preliminary data until the end of the month, an increase in the estimate of mortality “from all causes” compared to January last year.
That leaves about 2,000 more estimates this year compared to the same month last year, largely coinciding with the peak of the endemic wave of respiratory viruses.
In this regard, the Sivira report notes that EuroMOMO estimates for Europe weekly excess mortality from all causes showed “a significantly increased mortality rate, in general and in age groups over 45 years.
World Health Organization (WHO) warned a few weeks ago that Europe’s health facilities would be overwhelmed due to the confluence of this season’s flu, Covid-19 and bronchiolitis and its impact on public health.
Impact of influenza due to loss of hybrid immunity
A few weeks ago, epidemiological data indicated ‘very intense’ flu circulation this season and that the preliminary severity data that was being tested was no higher than last season, but the Carlos III Institute of Health and the Ministry of Health warned of a “serious impact” on public health.
Regarding the effects of influenza, Maria del Mar Tomás, representative of the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC), and Juan González del Castillo, coordinator of the infection department at the emergency department of Semes, spoke to EFE and explained this impact of influenza. to a “multifactorial” problem.
They quoted decline in hybrid immunity after many years of pandemic with protective measures and that flu vaccination rates have declined this season.
Likewise, Thomas added that the flu prevention antibodies themselves were able to protect “a little less against a strain that was already widespread.”