The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning to countries especially countries in the warm southern hemisphere including Thailand Be on the lookout to monitor and prepare for influenza and the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) as well as increase influenza vaccination campaigns. which may be infected with COVID-19
Assoc. Prof. (Special) Dr. Tawee Chotiphitayasunont President of the Foundation for the Promotion of Influenza Education and a pediatric infectious disease specialist Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health (Children’s Hospital) revealed the current situation of influenza that is coming back to spread again since many countries around the world. Including Thailand, has begun to relax measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 for more than 2 years and partially cancel the wearing of masks. including the opening of the country freely According to the Australian Public Health Authority (as of 19 June 2022), 147,155 cumulative cases of influenza have been reported, including 989 hospitalized inpatients. As many as 6.1 percent, or about 60 cases, require treatment in the ICU, with 54 deaths from influenza-related causes. There are concerns about the return of the flu epidemic. Because in the country began to find more influenza patients. There have also been reports of an increase in the number of influenza cases in the past few months. country as well Although the information in Thailand has begun to make it highly likely that the influenza epidemic will return in Thailand again.
Influenza that may return to epidemic in 2022 after declining during the Covid-19 outbreak Expected to be more severe than in the past 2 years due to the Covid-19 epidemic most of the people have a distance and wear a mask as a routine Which is considered a shield against the virus as well. But on the other hand, people lack the opportunity to get natural immunity from influenza infection. Also after the announcement of the cancellation of various preventive measures Stop wearing masks It will make it easier for people to get the virus that spreads in the air. In addition, in the past, the weather was volatile due to global warming. And many countries are in the rainy season with humid weather, which makes the virus spread easily and last longer. The long absence of immunity is another factor that makes the disease more severe and widespread than usual. especially those at risk of severe influenza, such as pregnant women, young children aged 6 months – 2 years, the elderly aged 65 years and over, including those with chronic medical conditions such as lung disease, heart disease, and stroke. Chronic kidney disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, etc.
Concerns about the spread of influenza In this situation, there are two main parts:
1. full course opening The important variables were ‘young children’ aged 0-4 years and ‘school-aged children’ aged 5-9 years, followed by ‘older children’ aged 10-19 years, which are considered intermediaries that will carry the influenza virus to other members in the family This will affect the elderly such as grandparents, grandparents, especially if there are elderly people with chronic illnesses. The higher the risk of serious disease increases as well. According to a study published by The Lancet (published March 25, 2022), patients with both influenza and COVID-19 2 to 4 times more likely to need a ventilator compared to COVID-19 just one disease while increasing the risk of death by up to 2 times. In addition, another international study found that 7 out of 10 people over 65 were infected with influenza. There is a high risk of complications such as pneumonia, inflammation of the brain. multiple organ failure and sepsis in the bloodstream as well
2. Opening of international borders It is estimated that this year there will be at least 10 million tourists coming to Thailand. The concern is that tourists in many countries will have guidelines to prevent COVID-19. Different from Thai people, for example, they do not like to wear masks. or no spacing In addition, if a tourist coming from the southern hemisphere, such as Australia, New Zealand, is a zone where the flu epidemic is increasing. It may affect other tourists. including Thai people involved in getting influenza and may spread in Thailand more widely It is considered a cycle of influenza epidemic in many countries in the near future.
Assoc. Prof. (Special) Dr. Tawee Chotiphitayasunont Reiterated to parents with children aged 0-19, who will be the carrier of the disease group 608, which is the same risk group as Covid-19. including the general public Influenza prevention should not be ignored and should be prevented early, as ‘influenza vaccination’ is the most cost-effective key to protecting yourself and your loved ones from the devastating effects of influenza and co-infection with other chronic diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States has compiled several studies. A 2018 study shows adults getting the flu vaccination. Those with influenza were 59% less likely to be treated in the ICU than those who were not vaccinated, while a 2021 study found that adults vaccinated with influenza had a lower risk of death from influenza. down 31% compared to those who were not vaccinated against the flu.
Currently, medical and public health facilities Public and private hospitals in Thailand The influenza vaccine in the 2022 season, known as the ‘Southern Hemisphere Flu 2022 Vaccine’, is available for both 3-strain (free) and 4-strain, which will cover a wider range of influenza strains than the triple strain. The people can receive the 4-strain influenza vaccine at the general private hospitals. which has been open for service from today until the end of December 2022
Interested parties can learn information about influenza. and various infectious diseases More at the Influenza Education Foundation website. http://www.ift2004.org/ or via the Foundation for the Promotion of Influenza Education.