13 people have been killed since the start of the season, and 256 were hospitalized

MADRID, 27 ( EUROPA PRESS)

detection of 453 new cases of seasonal influenza in the week of 13-19 February amounts to 2.605 those affected by this disease in Spain since the beginning of the season. They are the latest data of the influenza surveillance system in Spain, which already puts the incidence of this disease in the 252,16 cases per 100,000 population. This week, three people were killed by influenza and 80 were hospitalized, bringing the current total to 13 deaths and hospitalized 256.

The disease has stabilized, because in the previous measurement, corresponding to the week of 6 to 12 February, the incidence was 249,96 cases per 100,000 population. Its evolution is still stable, although keeping an activity of average intensity and an epidemic level of dissemination. Persists, for the moment, a majority virus circulation of influenza A (H3) in the territory.

By autonomies, there’s an evolution increasing influenza activity in Cantabria, Catalonia, Valencian Community, Extremadura, Navarra, Basque country and Melilla, while it shows stable in the Balearic Islands, Castile – La Mancha and La Rioja. The peak has been reached already in Ceuta, Madrid, Castilla La Mancha, Andalusia and Aragon and could have been achieved at the moment in Asturias, the Canary Islands and Castilla y León.

Influenza prevalence rates have stabilized for all age groups. The largest number of cases have been in those over 64 years (39%) and under-five (33%). 98 Percent (250) of the cases were infections by the virus of influenza A and 2 percent (6) to virus B. 99 Percent of the subtipadas detections are viruses A (H3) and 1 per cent virus A (H1N1).

Is observed that 142 cases (83%) were risk factors for complications of influenza, being the 66 per cent (113) for those over the age of 44. The most frequent risk factors include chronic lung disease (27%), chronic cardiovascular disease (23%) and diabetes (20%).

Of those who belong to groups eligible for vaccination and available information, 63 cases (32%) had received the flu vaccine this season. As most frequent complications, 66 percent of the cases presented pneumonia and 28 percent co-infection. Of the total hospitalized, 67 (30%) admitted to ICU.

Until now 13 deaths and 256 serious cases

From the start of the season, reported 256 serious hospitalized confirmed flu cases in 15 autonomous communities, which are Andalucía, Aragon, Asturias, the Balearic Islands, Cantabria, Castilla – La Mancha, Castile and Leon, Catalonia, Extremadura, Galicia, Madrid, Murcia, Navarra, Basque country and Rioja. Of them, 55 percent have occurred in men and 45 per cent in women. The week of 6 to 12 February 176 serious hospitalized cases were reported.

Also from the start of the season, reported 13 deaths from severe hospitalized confirmed cases of influenza, all over the age of 44. According to available information, 10 cases were a risk factor for complications of influenza and seven had received flu vaccine this season.

The situation in Europe

According to the European Centre for disease prevention and Control (ECDC, for its acronym in English), in the week of 13-19 February 2.901 influenza in Europe, 2.788 cases have been detected (96.1%) were type A and 113 (3.9%) of type B. Resistance to oseltamivir and zanamivier thus far this season have undetected.

These data suggest that national epidemics of seasonal influenza could be coming to their peak in the first affected countries, which remain dominated by the virus A (H3). This week, the flu has been average in 16 countries and two intensity has had a high intensity. Its expansion is widespread in 11 countries, regional in six countries, four local and sporadic six.

Circulating viruses this season A (H3) and B have changed genetically and antigenically from viruses in the seasonal vaccine 2011-2012, what he has done to the World Health Organization (who) recommend different virus for vaccination against seasonal flu 2012-2013.