Influenza and COVID-19 have raised serious concerns in 6 provinces of the country during the thirty-first week of this year. According to reports, 49.3% of positive influenza cases belong to the age group of children, and this statistic serves as a warning for families and health authorities.
Increase in Influenza and COVID-19 Cases
The Center for Disease Control of the Ministry of Health has announced that this week, the ratio of cases with respiratory infection symptoms among outpatients has decreased while it has increased among hospitalized patients. Specifically, 8.6% of outpatient visits had flu-like symptoms, and 10.9% of hospitalized patients exhibited severe respiratory symptoms. Meanwhile, the rate of respiratory infections last week was 10.7% and 9.5%, respectively.
Worrying Situation in 6 Provinces
The identification of two respiratory pathogens (influenza and COVID-19) has reached a high alert threshold this week. Bushehr and Kurdistan lead with positive influenza rates of 36.1% and 24.2%, respectively. Additionally, the provinces of Kermanshah, Khuzestan, Fars, and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari have rates of 17.4%, 17.1%, 14.9%, and 10.8%, respectively, exceeding the alert threshold. These statistics indicate a critical situation in these provinces that necessitates immediate preventive actions.
In total, out of 245 respiratory samples taken from patients, 10.6% tested positive for influenza, which shows a significant increase compared to last year. Furthermore, the proportion of positive COVID-19 samples has decreased for the second consecutive week, reaching 16.3%, but it remains above the alert threshold.
Essential Preventive Measures
Given the current situation, the need to intensify preventive and protective measures is clearly felt. The use of masks in high-risk areas with a high probability of transmission, such as hospitals and crowded centers, especially for the elderly, is among the actions that should be prioritized. Additionally, public awareness and strengthening healthcare measures in this regard are of special importance.
According to data from the non-surveillance laboratory monitoring system, this week, out of 6,798 respiratory samples, 383 positive influenza cases were identified. 73.5% of these cases were of type B, which remains the dominant type. In contrast, influenza type A was recognized as the dominant type last year.
In light of these conditions, families and health officials must approach this crisis with greater caution and sensitivity and take necessary actions to protect children and other vulnerable groups.
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