VIRUS RESPIRATORIOS ESTACIONALES – CHILE: REEMERGENCIA TEMPRANA,
AUMENTO DE HOSPITALIZACIONES PEDIÁTRICAS
Un comunicado de ProMED-mail
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail es un programa de la
Sociedad Internacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas
http://www.isid.org
Fecha: 26 de mayo, 2023
Fuente: RPP, Perú
https://elpais.com/chile/2023-05-26/virus-respiratorios-en-chile-alza-de-casos-vacunacion-y-vacaciones-de-invierno-en-las-escuelas.html
[Editado por Jaime Torres y Jorge González]
Chile’s health authorities have looked carefully at the rise
Sustained hospital admissions for diseases caused by
Respiratory viruses, especially respiratory syncytial virus
(RSV) and the flu (influenza), which strongly impact children.
The doctors in charge of the intensive care units of
Some regions of the country warned that the situation is critical and
That it is necessary to take measures to prevent the spread of the
Pathogens.
The Ministry of Health (Minsal) acknowledged that the panorama
Hospital is complex and he said that the system is being prepared
In the face of a preview of the winter season of diseases, which
It was usually concentrated in the months of June and July; without
However, he has avoided taking radical measures such as those taken in the year
Past, when he decided to modify the school calendar and advance
Winter holidays for children and adolescents.
In the face of this crisis, the Government has called on citizens to
Receive the flu vaccination, which is delivered in a way
Free to the most fragile population in the face of the disease.
The end of the acute phase of the Covid-19 pandemic caused a
Change in the epidemiological situation of Chile, which for more than
Two years he had his hospital system strained by infections
Due to coronavirus. Typical winter viruses such as syncytial and
Flu resurfaced after the end of the confinements, damaging
Especially to minors.
The Institute of Public Health (ISP), the body in charge of the
Supervision of health in the South American country, he explained that of
2,296 positive cases of respiratory diseases detected during
This week 46% corresponds to the RSV. The most affected age group
With this ailment is that of children from 1 to 4 years old. Further back in
Influenza A appears frequently, which covers 30% of patients
Infected. Covid-19 – which was predominant two years ago – barely
Reaches 0.8% of the samples analyzed in the last few days.
So far this season, the predominant infection is influenza.
A (26.6% of cases detected), followed by RSV (25.6%), adenovirus
(18.0%), Covid-19 (12.8%), parainfluenza (10.7%), influenza B (3.2%) and
Metapneumovirus (3.2%). In the comparison with the year 2022, the number
Of cases of this type of pathology increased by 100%, of
According to official figures reported by Minsal.
The latest health report pointed out that there are currently 1,603
People hospitalized in Chile, of which 738 tested positive
Because of a respiratory virus. The incidence of this type of
Infections grew by 52.2% during the last week.
The increase in infections has especially stressed the
Operation of intensive care units (ICU)
Pediatrics. The number of interned children grew sharply,
Since last week it reached 83% and two weeks ago it was
76%.
The high demand for health care varies according to the region
Of the country. Currently, one of the most affected areas is
Biobío, where the occupancy of beds borders on 100%. The school
Doctor of Biobío, a guild entity that brings together doctors to
Regional level, has asked the Government to take measures to stop the
Spread of viruses among minors, suggesting the advance of
The winter holidays.
The authorities have announced an investment of 37,000,000,000
Pesos (about 45,000,000 dollars) to reinforce the strategies
Of pediatric care for respiratory diseases. However,
The authorities have also focused on promoting vaccination.
The inoculation against influenza (flu) is delivered in a way
Free to a specific group of the Chilean population, which consists of
In pregnant women; people aged 65 and over; sick
Chronic between 11 and 64 years of age; children from 6 months of age
Up to those who are in the 5th year of basic or primary education
(Independent of age); workers in older adult households;
Education workers; and plant workers who breeders of
Chickens. Those who are outside this classification must buy their
Dose in a pharmacy and place it in the private health system.
At the same time, free vaccination was extended with the formula
Bivalent against COVID-19, which contemplates protection against
Original strain from Wuhan and the subvariants of Omicron. All the
Chileans over 12 years of age can access this immunization.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) does not have an approved vaccine in
Chile. For the same reason, the authorities recommend that both children
How their caregivers get vaccinated against the other diseases
Respiratory to avoid the simultaneous coexistence of viruses.
The medical guilds have asked the Government to modify the
Calendar of the Chilean school system, advancing the holidays of
Winter. The idea, according to the specialists, is that the children and
Adolescents stay in their homes and avoid contact with others
People to reduce viral circulation.
The Ministry of Education, in coordination with the Health portfolio,
Ruled out changing the established date for the recess, so the
Planning will remain unchanged. In this way, the pause
Of activities in the schools will be extended from Monday 3 to
Friday, July 14 in much of Chile, while in the
Regions of Aysén and Magallanes (in the extreme south of the country)
It will be extended from Monday, July 3 to Friday, July 21.
Comunicado por: Jaime R. Torres
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