The flu epidemic continues to grow in Portugal, with acute respiratory activity syndrome rates falling to 26.8 million inhabitants, according to released this Thursday.

The National Institute of Health’s Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Bulletin. Ricardo Jorge (INSA) points out “an increase in the detection of infection by the flu virus in the last three weeks” and an “excess mortality from all causes”.

In week 19 (May 9th to 15th), the Portuguese Network of Influenza Diagnosis Laboratories (Hospitals) detected 323 positive cases for the influenza virus, all type A. In 184 of the cases, the A(H3) subtype was identified. ).

“To date, 202 cases of co-infection with the influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 have been detected,” the report said.

As for the severity of the cases, the document points out that one case of influenza (Influenza A) was reported to 18 Intensive Care Units that send information.

“The patient was 75 years old, had no chronic disease and her vaccination status against seasonal influenza is,” the bulletin reads.

Complaint cases were also reported in three wards that send information, and the Influenza A virus was identified.

“One patient was 03-05 years old and the other 11-15 years old. Both were seasonal disease aged for years thought against the flu, but were not between 11-15”, ie the INSA.

In the week of May 9 to 15, an incidence rate of influenza-like illness (GS) and an incidence rate of acute respiratory infection were estimated at 26.8 per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to 34.6 in the previous week. per 100,000 inhabitants.

The service with the exception of this value must be interpreted into account “taking into account the reorganization of the population under observation to the care that will improve the history observed in the period of previous years, to the date before, the date of publication of the bulletin”.

According to the informed bulletin, 1 positive cases for other active agents8 were identified.

Since the beginning of the flu season, 29 cases of complaint have been reported by the ICU that collaborate in surveillance, all due to Influenza A virus, 1 due to A(H1N1), 2 due to A(H3N2), 1 of the A(H3) subtype and 25 (86.2%) not subtyped.

It was found that 13 (44.8%) patients were over 65 years old, 14 (48.3%) were between 15-64 years old and 2 (6.9%) were less than 15 years old, with 21 (72 ) % of chronic illness, with 4% seasonal, had influenza illness.

Since the beginning of the season, the Infirmaries have reported 21 cases of flu. In all cases, the Influenza A virus was identified, being 17 (81%) by A(H3N2) and 4 (19%) not subtyped.

“All the cases were 15 years of age or younger”, refers to the INSA, adding that in 1 cases (52.4%) the patients had underlying disease, of which 1 was vaccinated.

In the 2021/2022 season, the Laboratories of the Portuguese Network of Laboratories for the Diagnosis of Influenza reported 113,372 cases of respiratory infection and 7,562 cases of influenza were identified.