Cases of influenza, dengue and RSV are increasing

From July 1 to October 15 of this year, 3,311 people on the island have been infected with the flu, while from the beginning of the year to October 14, 391 cases of dengue have been confirmed and there are another 66 probable cases. However, Dr. Iris Cardona, chief medical officer of the Department of healthassured that the number of people infected with both viruses is indeed double, as many have no or mild symptoms.

“For the first time, in a week we have had over 400 new cases (of flu) … and we are only in October,” said the pediatric infectologist.

According to Health, as of October 15, this 2022-23 season, 249 hospitalizations for influenza have been reported. Additionally, the last seven weekly surveillance reports for this virus warn that cases are above the alert threshold.

“Once we reach the seasonal threshold (a higher level) we will have problems and more (people) will get sick,” he said.

Cardona warned that this season promises to be more active than in previous years, as the increase in infections has been seen earlier than usual. You commented that this is a concern that has been expressed not only in Puerto Rico but also in the United States.

“Fortunately, there are no casualties yet, but an increase (in deaths from the flu) would not be unusual,” he said.

The highest concentration of cases is among children aged 0 to 4, Cardona said, warning that these are the most complicated and arrive at the hospital. She added that the highest incidence is in the south of the country.

“The incidence per 100,000 (population) is very high in the south, particularly after the rains,” he said.

He also mentioned that it is not uncommon for a flu spike to occur in December after Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings.

Among the tools of prevention, Cardona mentioned the flu vaccine, recommended for six months. As of earlier this week, she said, 182,300 doses had already been administered this season, from a universe of 2.9 million people, which is 6%.

The official insisted that only half of infected people are estimated to develop noticeable symptoms, as the other half have only mild or no manifestations, but can transmit the virus. For this reason, in case of illness, he recommended not to leave the house and to consult the doctor.

Regarding dengue, Cardona pointed out that although it is endemic or a disease for which cases are reported throughout the year, there has been an increase in cases in the last two years, compared to previous years.

Cases seem to have doubled in recent weeks. And that’s worrying, “she admitted.

He recalled that recent rains favor the accumulation of water, where the breeding sites of mosquitoes, vectors of this virus, develop. For this reason, he urged people to keep the environment around their homes free from possible breeding sites.

“There are four serotypes of dengue and the second infection increases the risk of developing severe dengue and complications,” he said.

Cardona recalled that dengue outbreaks are estimated to occur every three to five years, and the last in Puerto Rico was in 2013.

“We are not epidemic, but we are very close. Cases doubled in July, August and September, “she said.

He pointed out that there has been an outbreak of dengue (serotype 3) in Cuba since July and that there have already been several reports of infected travelers from Cuba.

He commented that there is a pediatric-approved dengue vaccine (Dengvaxia) for children of a certain age (9 to 16 years) who have suffered from this disease at least once.

“80 doses have arrived in Puerto Rico and two have been used. It’s a process, “she said.

On the other hand, Cardona commented that 1,427 cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have been reported since July, most of them in children between the ages of zero and four.

“There is surveillance (for this other disease),” he said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health updated its surveillance report on casualties associated with Hurricane Fiona this week. As of October 26, there are already 37 deaths associated with this atmospheric phenomenon among people between the ages of 50 and 96. Most of these deaths (25), which occurred between 18 and 28 September, were male.