Since October of this year, influenza infections globally have increased significantly, with influenza A viruses becoming the dominant cause.
Seasonal flu outbreaks are occurring early and intensely, leading to high hospitalization rates and putting significant pressure on the healthcare systems of many developed countries, including the US, UK, and Japan. In the UK alone, the National Health Service (NHS) has warned that the country is facing a dangerous "flu wave."
According to The Guardian, in the past week, an average of 1,717 patients in England have been hospitalized with the flu each day, a 56% increase compared to the same period last year. Of those, around 69 cases per day are being treated in intensive care.
The WHO also warned of a “subsequent immune response” following the Covid-19 pandemic, due to reduced exposure to influenza viruses during lockdown years, which weakened herd immunity.
In addition, a slight decrease in flu vaccination rates among some younger population groups could contribute to faster flu spread during favorable weather conditions. Although flu vaccines are updated annually, their protective efficacy can vary depending on antigenic match between circulating strains and vaccine components.
Given the current global outbreak of seasonal influenza, health experts recommend that the most effective measure to prevent the flu remains regular vaccination. Each vaccination contributes to building a strong "community shield" against the disease.
In addition, combining personal hygiene, wearing masks when symptoms are present, and avoiding crowded places during outbreaks are crucial. For high-risk groups such as the elderly, children, pregnant women, and people with chronic diseases, annual booster shots significantly reduce the risk of hospitalization and severe complications.
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/canh-bao-tu-hieu-ung-mien-dich-giam-post828424.html
Comment (0)