National Academy of Medicine urges continued vigilance as respiratory illness rises

The National Academy of Medicine urged the Venezuelan population not to let down their guard in the face of an increase in the number of various respiratory diseases in recent weeks. In its statement, the organization recommended immediately contacting health centers in case of severe symptoms and avoiding self-medication.

The letter states that in the Andean subregion, SARS-CoV-2 activity remains at a moderate level and has been increasing in the last four epidemiological weeks (SE). Although influenza activity has remained at low levels in circulation, there has been a slight increase over the past two weeks.

“Although influenza activity remains at low levels in circulation, it has shown a slight increase over the past two weeks, as have cases of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI),” they add.

In addition, it adds that cases of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) showed a slight increase associated with an increase in the proportion of positive influenza cases over the last four weeks SE.

In Venezuela, influenza activity has continued to fluctuate near the epidemic threshold over the past four weeks, with a slight increase in respiratory syncytial virus activity.

In this sense, the National Academy of Medicine called on the Ministry of Health to publish epidemiological data and warn the population about preventive measures in the event of the presence in Colombia of a new strain of SARS-CoV-2, known as JN1.

The facility stressed the need to continue to use established biosecurity standards, physical distancing, hand washing and mask use.

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