1st LD Writethru: Respiratory infections surge in Europe: WHO

On Tuesday, Hans Henri P. Kluge, the WHO’s regional director for Europe, warned of an increase in respiratory diseases in Europe and called for health systems to be prepared for a surge in cases in the coming weeks. Speaking at a press conference in Copenhagen, Kluge noted a rise in influenza infections and hospitalizations, urging vigilance.

The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) in the Netherlands reported an upswing in respiratory infections, with various pathogens, including COVID-19, influenza virus, and seasonal coronavirus, now common among the population. The RIVM also stated that the number of individuals reporting flu-like symptoms is on the rise, with 44 out of 100,000 seeking medical attention in the past week, a notable increase from the previous week’s 27 per 100,000.

Recent data also revealed a surge in influenza virus cases, with almost 35 percent of samples testing positive among individuals reporting flu-like symptoms, compared to the previous week’s 13 percent, according to RIVM.

Italian health professionals warned of intense pressure on hospitals due to the worst flu wave the country had experienced in at least 15 years. Admissions to emergency rooms increased by 20 percent to 30 percent last week, mainly due to serious flu cases, according to the Italian Federation of Health Authorities and Hospitals (FIASO).

In response to a sharp rise in COVID-19 and flu infections since the start of the new year, the Spanish government reimposed the mandatory use of facemasks in hospitals and health centers as of Jan. 10. Spain reported a sharp rise in respiratory illnesses, with the infection rate soaring to over 952 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, and Health Minister Monica Garcia warned that the peak of infections was yet to arrive.

Kluge advised keeping vulnerable populations updated with their COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations, highlighting the significant success of COVID-19 vaccines since their introduction in December 2020. A new study led by WHO Europe found that at least 1.4 million lives in the region were saved thanks to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines. The vaccines have been particularly effective for those over 60, who accounted for more than 90 percent of lives saved, according to the study.

Since the vaccine rollout began in December 2020, there has been a 57 percent reduction in COVID-19 deaths across the WHO European Region, with the first booster doses alone estimated to have saved 700,000 lives. However, Kluge expressed concern over the rapid spread of the COVID-19 JN.1 variant, now the dominant strain.

Despite a lack of evidence suggesting increased severity, Kluge emphasized the need for continuous monitoring due to the variant’s unpredictability. He also stressed the importance of surveillance as the first line of defense to monitor unpredictable respiratory pathogens, be it mutations or new viruses, as 13 countries in the region did not report any data on respiratory viruses last week.