Influenza can enter an epidemic in one week – No

The issue of influenza was today the subject of a meeting at the Directorate General of Health (DGS), but according to the head, it was a routine meeting to badess the situation and indicators related to cold and viruses. influenza in circulation.

"Regarding the flu, the activity is particularly late," said Graça Freitas in Lusa, on the sidelines of the ceremony of inauguration of the social organs of the National Association of Physicians public health.

The Director General explained that at that time, in Portugal and in Europe, "low-intensity" viruses were circulating and that the epidemic period had not yet entered, which should happen soon. 39, here a few days or a week ".

Graça Freitas stated that the winter plan was activated, that there was planning, that there was information and that it was controlling the demand for health care and that "for the moment, everything is in order".

The official warns against the need for people to protect themselves from the cold, stressing that it is the "most intense period of the year to develop risk factors" for the common cold, the flu and other viruses, and advises the public not to look for hospital emergencies as a first option.

"The good advice we are giving is that they do not go directly to the emergency room.The first gateway into the health care system right now is SNS24, under number 808242424" said Graça Freitas, pointing out that nurses were present on this line. trained to do the screening and that people can be treated at home or at health centers.

Graça Freitas also advised people not to take antibiotics on their own because they are not effective against viral diseases, to protect themselves from the cold and to hydrate.

Asked by Lusa, the Director-General said that the DGS was planning to extend the flu vaccine to people over 60 in the future, but pointed out that the supply of influenza vaccines is complicated. and a "complex logistics".

The health centers of the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region will start today to activate their emergency plans because of the cold, the strengthening of the teams and the lengthening schedules.