“The most severe situation we have seen in recent years”: influenza influential

The influenza influenza illness, according to the National Disease Control report in the Ministry of Health. According to the report, the effect has first crossed the “very high intensity” activity threshold, this is the highest morbidity rate since 2012.

The morbidity rate is measured by inquiries to Maccabi Health Services Clinics due to influenza-like morbidity, and is about 25 inquiries per 10,000 people. The increase has been reflected in all age groups, especially among children and teens at age 2-18, where “a particularly sharp rise” was observed. The most prominent influenza viruses are A/H1N1 flu, also known as the “pig flu”, as well as Victoria’s flu.

The National Disease Control Center notes that according to 13 hospitals across the country, during the past week, 549 positive new cases have reported influenza virus, of which 165 positive samples for influenza B, 379 positive samples for influenza and 5 samples that are charged to both varieties.

From the beginning of the season until last week, 2,057 patients were hospitalized for the flu in 13 measured hospitals, of which 1372 adults, 620 children, and 65 pregnant women.

In general, hospitals in the country were hospitalized from the beginning of the season until last week, 186 flu patients are verified in intensive care or increased treatment departments. The National Disease Control Center explains that in most patients up to the age of 18 in intensive care, the type of B. of type B., on the other hand, has been identified, at most patients from the age of 18 and over, which is hospitalized with intensive care or increased treatment, a type of influenza virus has been identified.

The report also shows that this past week the immigration to Maccabi Health Services continued due to pneumonia, especially among children up to the age of 5, and adults aged 65 and over. Clalit Health Services data shows a slightly different picture: the increase in referral rate has been expressed in children up to the age of 11. In the rest of the age groups – no significant change was observed.

In recent weeks, the name of HMPV virus has been spread in China and consequently has also caused a stir in Israel. However, this has been a seller for many years for the health system. According to the National Disease Control Report, as of last week, 20 hospitalized patients were identified in the 13 hospitals examined, which were positive for HMPV virus. “These numbers reflect a low activity of the virus,” the report said.

Despite the morbidity – a very low vaccination rate

Despite the disturbing data, the influenza vaccination rate continues to be low and is about 16% among the general population, only one more than the previous flu season. However, the health funds indicate that in recent days, it may be due to the severe morbidity, there has been an awakening among the Israeli public. In a general health fund, it is said that every day of the past week about 4,000 insureds came to be vaccinated. Maccabi health funds say that in January, a 50% increase in the number of Israelis who came to be vaccinated, compared to last month. So far, 425,000 Maccabi members have been vaccinated, an increase of about 10% of the total vaccine in the winter last year.

Prof. Jasmine Maor, director of infectious diseases at Wolfson Medical Center, says: “The volume of this year’s morbidity in this year is particularly high and this is evident in both the compliment of the community’s morbidity, and in the amount of hospitalizations and in the amount of severe cases in hospitals.” According to her, the influenza morbidity also joins the morbidity and other respiratory viruses. “We are witnessing a significant increase in the number of patients hospitalized due to flu and lung infections. Currently in intensive care departments there are seven flu patients, most of them adults suffering from background disease. Prof. Maor emphasizes that it is not late to be vaccinated. “The vaccine can prevent infection, severe morbidity and complications.”

“The most serious in Israel in recent years”

Neta Sofer Tzur, Dr. of Life Sciences and Lecturer in Health Professions, Volunteers at the “Medi” Association, refers to the data, saying that “the state of influenza is the most serious in Israel in recent years.”

Dr. Super Tzur explains that every year the vaccine is determined by statistical analysis, and that it is impossible to know in advance which varieties will stand out during the influenza season. However, she said the most prominent varieties in the current influenza season are included in the vaccine given at the health funds.

Dr. also enters the public to be vaccinated, saying that “the proportion of population is in recent years lower than usual, and it may have affected the high morbidity rates. Although the vaccine is 100 percent efficient, it is worth reducing risks and vaccinating, because it prevents lots of hard morbidity cases. Not to be vaccinated is to be 100 percent exposed to the virus. ”