The flu activity increases in Ecuador during the 2017-2018 season

According to the results of the seasonal influenza virus outbreak, a very high level of circulation has been observed compared to previous seasons, warned the national director of epidemiological surveillance, Alfredo Olmedo. The executive explained that type A (H1N1) with low co-circulation type A (H3N2) followed by influenza B predominated last year.

To fight the epidemic, the Ministry of Public Health (MSP) launched a campaign in addition to pregnant women, chronically ill and health personnel.

In addition, health services were reorganized. This was also done with the strengthening of infection control and a coordinated response among all national institutions.

Professionals in this sector were also trained and the National Expert Committee for Influenza was formed.

In the cities of Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca, Ambato, Orellana, Ibarra and Riobamba, the health staff received several workshops during the first months of the year.

In March, the MSP reported a total of 112 deaths since the month. November for the outbreak of seasonal flu in this country.

The corresponding epidemiological report up to week 10 (March 10) indicates that 1,280 confirmed patients with this condition were notified, which corresponds to 33% of the acute respiratory symptoms reported during the summer season. ;winter.

The majority of cases were AH1N1-infected persons, who numbered 133, followed by 121 AH3N2, 24 who had influenza B, and two non-subtyped influenza A infections.

In addition to deaths from AH1N1, there were four deaths from AH3N2 and one from influenza B, which puts the case fatality rate at nine percent.

Ministry of Health authorities took advantage of every space, from social networks to conferences or exchanges in study centers and medical care, to stress the importance of applying preventive measures.

rgh / rbp