Peru: Epidemiological alert issued due to increasing cases of Influenza A (H3N2)

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) issued an epidemiological alert due to the risk of increasing cases of Influenza A (H3N2), in order to strengthen prevention and timely detection measures to control it.

This, after registering 22 cases of this virus and one deceased in an Army unit in the South Lima jurisdiction, in addition to the increase in acute respiratory infections (IRAS). In this sense, the Ministry of Health has been implementing measures to control and identify new suspected cases.

Other regions where cases of Influenza A (H3N2) have been registered is in Ayacucho and Piura. These cases correspond to Epidemiological Week (EW) 16-2022.

In this regard, the National Center for Epidemiology, Prevention and Disease Control of Minsa (CDC) provided a series of recommendations to prevent the spread of the virus and reported that infection control will be strengthened in public and private establishments throughout the country and timely epidemiological surveillance.

The recommendations include the identification of cases of severe or unusual acute respiratory infections, the monitoring of the increase in cases or outbreaks of acute respiratory infection in populations that live in closed places (barracks, shelters, prisons, schools, nursing homes, cribs, among others), Influenza vaccination, compliance with biosafety measures for infection control such as the correct use of masks, hand washing and adequate ventilation of closed spaces, among others.

Similarly, the health establishments that carry out sentinel surveillance must improve the processes for capturing, taking samples and notifying cases of flu syndrome and severe acute respiratory infections, following the flows established in the National Epidemiology Network (Renace). .

The Influenza virus spreads through droplets produced by coughing, sneezing, laughing, singing or talking. These small droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Influenza is also contracted when hands are contaminated by covering the mouth or nose and then touching a surface or object, or the hands of other people.

Symptoms usually present with a sudden onset of fever, cough and/or sore throat, which may also be accompanied by muscle pain, headache, malaise. Therefore, you should go to a health facility to be evaluated by a doctor and receive the appropriate treatment.

Annual influenza vaccination is the first and most important step in protecting against influenza viruses.

Along with this, recommended preventive measures should be taken to reduce the spread of influenza. For example, avoid close contact with people who are sick; if you are sick, limit contact with other people as much as possible to avoid passing the infection on to them; cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing; cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

Likewise, the use of a mask in people with respiratory symptoms is important, in addition, people who care for people with symptoms must wear a mask. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water; if there is no soap and water, use gel alcohol.

Finally, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; germs are spread this way. And clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with the viruses that cause the flu.