Andalusia‘s Respiratory Virus Incidence Surpasses 272 Cases per 100,000 Inhabitants
The incidence of respiratory viruses in Andalusia has exceeded 272 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, with the community bracing for a peak in the next two weeks following the conclusion of the Christmas holidays, especially if cold temperatures persist. In this context, Andalusia’s Health and Consumption Councilor, Rocío Hernández, has emphasized the importance of vaccination, particularly for infants under the age of one and those aged between one and four.
According to data provided by the Ministry of Health to Europa Press, the incidence of Acute Respiratory Infection has dropped from 372.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the previous week to 272.3 cases, as of January 3. Health authorities attribute this decrease to the influence of holiday closures on primary care consultations.
The group of children under one year old continues to report the highest incidence, followed by those aged between one and four. Women reported a higher incidence than men this week. The positivity rate for samples tested so far is 45.5% for influenza, 0% for SARS-CoV-2, and 27.3% for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Provisional estimated rates are 123.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants for influenza, 0 cases for COVID-19, and 74.3 cases per 100,000 for RSV.
In the week ending January 3, hospitalizations in Andalusia resulted in an incidence rate of 10.9 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, up from 8.7 cases the previous week. The highest rates were observed in children under one year old, with men reporting a higher rate than women. This week’s positivity rate was 18.2% for influenza, 0% for SARS-CoV-2, and 38.6% for RSV. Provisional estimated hospitalization rates are 2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants for influenza, 0 cases for COVID-19, and 4.2 cases for RSV.
Councilor Hernández stressed the importance of vaccination, noting that significant coverage rates have been achieved, with over 1.5 million people vaccinated against influenza and a coverage rate exceeding 55% for children aged 6 to 59 months. She attributed the recent increase in respiratory virus cases to the arrival of cold weather and associated holiday gatherings.
Hernández also emphasized the importance of healthcare professionals getting vaccinated against respiratory viruses, acknowledging that the current vaccination rate among them is lower than desired. She highlighted the crucial role of hospital preventive services and district epidemiology services in addressing this issue.
