Hospitalizations related to rhinovirus are growing among children

The new InfoGripe leaflet, referring to the epidemiological week from 6 to 12 August, warns of the weekly growth of new cases and hospitalizations associated with rhinovirus among children aged 2 to 4 years and 5 to 14 years in Espiritu Santo, Bahia, Paraná and São Paulo Paulo, as well as the capital of Rio Grande do Norte (Natal). “There are no indications that it may be a resumption of the covid-19 virus in these age groups, nor the influenza virus, but rhinovirus is seeing a slight increase and we have seen an increase in hospitalizations in these age groups,” analyze InfoGripe coordinator for the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Marcelo Gomez.

According to the bulletin issued on Thursday (17) by Fiocruz, an increase in cases of rhinovirus infection has been detected, although the scenario remains stable with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in general. The analysis is based on data entered into the Surveillance Information System for Pandemic Influenza (Sivep-Flu) up to the 14th of this month.

Marcelo Gómez said that with regard to children under two years of age, there is a sign of an increase in cases associated with rhinovirus in Roraima and in the capitals Boa Vista and Porto Alegre. He highlighted the importance of countries continuing to collect and send sample flows to maintain the capacity for genetic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) across the country.

The bulletin notes that a high volume of new weekly SARS cases has been maintained in Acre, but with an intermittent increase. In Rio de Janeiro, the scenario in the state and the capital does not indicate an increase, only small fluctuations. Four capital cities have high incidences: Belém (PA), Boa Vista (RR), Natal (RN) and Porto Alegre (RS). There was also a slight increase in the population over the age of 65 in the capital, Rio Grande do Sul.

Spread

According to the bulletin, the prevalence of respiratory viruses with a positive result in the past four epidemiological weeks was respiratory syncytial virus (25.2%). SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 virus (22.3%); influenza A (5%); and influenza B (2.5%). Of the recorded deaths, the presence of these same viruses among the positive results was Sars-CoV-2/Covid-19 (52.6%); respiratory syncytial virus (10.5%); influenza A (9.2%); and influenza B (6.6%).

The bulletin also reveals that in the 2023 epidemic year, 121,214 SARS cases were already reported, with 47,134 (38.9%) having positive laboratory results for some respiratory virus, 59,248 (48.9%) negative, and 8,168 (6) at least. 7%), pending lab results. Of the positive cases this year, 9.2% are influenza A; 4.9% influenza B; 40.7% of respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV); and 30.6% SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). In the past four epidemic weeks, the prevalence among positive cases was 5% influenza A; 2.5% influenza B; 25.2% respiratory syncytial viruses; and 22.3% SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). (with Agência Brasil)