Acute Respiratory Infections in Italy: A Decline in Reported Cases
The latest RespiVirNet surveillance report, published by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), indicates a decrease in the total incidence of acute respiratory infections in Italy. This decline is attributed to a reduction in reports from family doctors during the holiday season, as well as the closure of schools. According to the data, the incidence of acute respiratory infections dropped from 17.1 cases per 1,000 patients to 14.5 cases per 1,000 patients in the week from December 22 to 28.
Key Findings and Trends
The report estimates that approximately 820,000 new cases were reported during this period, bringing the total number of cases since the start of surveillance to around 6.7 million. The highest incidence of acute respiratory infections was observed in the 0-4 age group, with approximately 39 cases per 1,000 patients. Experts from the Institute’s Infectious Diseases department note that the decline in reported cases is more pronounced in community data than in hospital settings, suggesting that the incidence could rise again or remain high in the coming weeks.
The intensity of acute respiratory infections varies by region, with Sicily experiencing a very high intensity, while Campania, Piedmont, Emilia Romagna, Tuscany, Marche, Lazio, Abruzzo, Umbria, and Puglia have a high to medium intensity. In contrast, all other regions have a low intensity. Furthermore, the report highlights a high positivity rate for influenza in people with respiratory infections, particularly in hospital settings, with 22.2% and 50.3% positivity rates in community and hospital settings, respectively.
Influenza Surveillance and Characterization
Surveillance of severe and complicated forms of influenza reveals an increase in the number of cases in week 51 (December 16-22) compared to the same week in the previous season. The most prevalent subtype among severe forms is A(H3N2), and the majority of cases with complications involve unvaccinated individuals. The characterization of influenza viruses shows that A(H3N2) viruses are more prevalent than A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses in both community and hospital settings.
For more information on the latest RespiVirNet surveillance report, please visit the Here to access the original article and learn more about the trends and findings on acute respiratory infections in Italy.