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As expected, seasonal flu has reached its peak in Malta and, as in other European countries, 15 out of 100 people who consult their family doctor, whatever the reason, suffer from the disease.
Influenza weighs heavily on society, health systems and the economy as a whole, between 5 and 15% of the affected population on average. Year after year, seasonal flu strikes the world and poses challenges to each country's health system.
Talk to The Malta Independent on Sundays, a spokesman for the Ministry of Health explained how monitoring of the situation in Malta is carried out at the community level and at the secondary level.
Community surveillance is carried out through sentinel surveillance, with a number of family physicians helping public health authorities to provide data on influenza cases observed in their practice.
The spokesperson explains: "Currently, we have a high level of influenza activity, with a peak of 15 out of every 100 people who see their family doctor, regardless of their condition." 39 admissions to the hospital, where a peak is currently being observed.
Surveillance determines the types of flu that currently prevail. From the data collected from community and hospital cases, the types identified were mainly H1 and H3. This is similar to the situation in Europe reported by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, in which European countries report an increase in influenza activity with influenza A (H1N1) and A (H3N2) viruses pdm09 detected. The influenza A (H1N1) virus appeared in 2009.
According to the spokesman: "At that time, it was a threat because it was a new virus and no one had been exposed to such a virus before." Since then, it has become the predominant strain circulating in many European countries for seasonal influenza.
"It is responsible for 40% of confirmed influenza strains in Europe, while in Malta the majority of cases confirmed by a laboratory diagnosis were type A – 57.7% being type A H1 and 42.3% A H3. These two strains have been included in the current vaccine composition.
The best prevention is still vaccination and 100,000 doses of the trivalent vaccine have been ordered for Malta. Two weeks of free vaccinations for high-risk groups began on 15 October in health centers and local councils, after which free vaccinations were available for the entire population. To date, 85,687 people have been vaccinated.
The government-proposed trivalent vaccine was consistent with the WHO influenza vaccine composition recommended by the WHO for the 2018-2019 influenza season in the Northern Hemisphere and consisted of:
- A / Michigan / 45/2015 (H1N1) virus similar to pdm09
- Virus Type A / Singapore / INFIMH-16-0019 / 2016 (H3N2)
- B / Colorado / 06/2017-like virus [B/Victoria/2/87 lineage]
As such, the current major circulating strains have been included in the components of the vaccine, but the immunity offered by the vaccine varies and strongly depends on various factors, including age and the state of the vaccine. general health of the person.
Although the vaccine's effectiveness may vary, studies show that influenza vaccination reduces the risk of influenza by 40% to 60% in the general population during seasons when most influenza viruses in circulation are well matched to the influenza vaccine.
There is also an ongoing campaign on preventing the spread of influenza "Beat the flu" covering prevention facts, including "Get vaccinated", "Wash your hands", "Stay at home" if you are sick "and" Cover your mouths ".
The general public is encouraged to take flu prevention measures to prevent spread and, for those who have not yet received the vaccine, to visit health centers for immunization. For people with flu symptoms, ask your family doctor for advice on what to do and who can refer you to a hospital only if and when you need it.
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