The flu season starts in October and lasts until about May. Officials from the National Public Health Agency say both the health system and the public health surveillance system are ready to tackle this season.
Stefan GHEORGHITA, EPIDEMIOLOGY DOCTOR: “We have 9 monitoring points for the epidemiological situation and circulation of influenza viruses. ANSP laboratories are ready. They are equipped with equipment and consumables for seasonal influenza investigations. We have already started collecting samples of influenza this week. 9-point seasonal influenza. We collect approximately 20-25 samples weekly from people with clinical signs compatible with influenza. These samples are processed in the virological laboratory of ANSP, in Balti and Cahul. “
Although no cases of seasonal flu have yet been reported and, compared to the same period last year, the incidence of acute viral respiratory infections is lower, specialists say there is no need to relax and urge people to get immunized. 218,000 doses of the flu vaccine have already arrived in the country. These will be distributed to the local public health structures, from where they will be transmitted, according to the existing immunization plans, to the medical-health institutions.
Stefan GHEORGHITA, EPIDEMIOLOGY DOCTOR: “I received a tetravalent vaccine that contains the virus strains that circulate in the Northern Hemisphere, where the Republic of Moldova is practically geographically located. The vaccine contains 2 strains of the type A virus and 2 strains of the B type.”
The flu vaccination will begin in late October.
Olesea CECHIR, REPORTER PRO TV: “Priority, the flu vaccine will be given to pregnant women, children up to 4 years old, the elderly and patients with chronic illnesses. Thereafter, employees of public safety, medical departments, customs and other essential community departments will benefit from the vaccine. And finally, within the limits of the available stock, the rest of the citizens will also be vaccinated “.
Doctors say that the first signs of a cold, influence and COVID-19 are practically similar, except that in the case of influenza the onset is much more sudden and the disease evolves very rapidly.
Angela SELIVANOV, INTERNAL DOCTOR: “Fever is much higher than in other viruses above 38-38.5 and manifests itself with an altered general state: muscle weakness, muscle aches, asthenia, headache and when the cough appears it is often dry and quite excruciating, painful accompanied pain in the chest. “
The good news is that the flu can be prevented.
Angela SELIVANOV, INTERNAL DOCTOR: “Valid general prophylaxis methods for viruses, COVID-19, these are wearing a mask, social distancing and hygiene, washing hands as often as possible. But the most effective prevention method is vaccination. No preparation for the vaccine is required. , even if the person is known to be allergic. They are done in medical institutions and as a rule 15-30 minutes is the time we have to stay in medical institutions, because if we talk about more significant allergic manifestations, they develop in the first 15-30 minutes minutes”.
In the previous season, 421 cases of seasonal influenza caused by influenza viruses type A and B were recorded and, fortunately, no deaths were reported.
