Fiocruz has detected an increase in the number of cases and hospitalizations due to SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) possibly caused by the rhinovirus in children.
Rhinovirus is the main cause of colds. In the vast majority of cases, it causes an itchy nose or throat irritation, followed by sneezing, nasal congestion, and a low-grade fever. Patients who evolve with more serious complications are rare.
In Espírito Santo, Bahia, Paraná and São Paulo, in addition to the capital Natal (RN), the increase is observed in the age groups from 2 to 4 and from 5 to 14 years, according to the InfoGripe bulletin released on Thursday (17). In Roraima, growth is concentrated in children up to 2 years old, according to the document, which considers the period from 6 to 12 August.
“There are no signs that it could be a resumption of Covid-19 in this age group, nor of the Influenza virus. These two remain in a situation that is, in general, of certain stability, but the rhinovirus is with a slight increase”, commented Marcelo Gomes , InfoGripe coordinator, in a video released by Fiocruz
Since the beginning of the year, 121,214 cases of SARS have been reported in the country, 47,134 (38.9%) with positive laboratory results for a respiratory virus. Of these, 9.2% indicated Influenza A; 4.9% Influenza B; 40.7% respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and 30.6% SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19).
In the last four weeks, the prevalence among positive cases was 5.0% for Influenza A; 2.5% for Influenza B; 25.2% RSV and 22.3% SARS-CoV-2. Among the deaths, the presence of these same viruses was 9.2% for Influenza A; 6.6% Influenza B; 10.5% RSV and 52.6% SARS-CoV-2.
According to data from the Fiocruz Genomic Network, so far there has been no detection of the EG.5 subvariant of SARS-CoV-2, popularly known as “Éris” and on the rise in places like the United States and the United Kingdom.
Return of the use of masks
This Wednesday (16), UFRJ (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro) recommended the return of mask wearing indoors and in crowds.
“We believe it prudent to alert the social body of the university and recommend the proper use of masks in closed environments and in contexts of human agglomeration, as well as frequent hand hygiene”, says the text.
This Thursday, the SBI (Brazilian Society of Infectology) issued a note on GE.5 in which it raises the possibility of a new wave of cases in the coming weeks, with a low potential for serious occurrences, considering the epidemiological scenario of countries where this subvariant it already circulates.
In this context, the SBI recommends increasing the collection of diagnostic tests and genomic surveillance and, for the population: taking the recommended booster doses, the use of masks for the elderly and immunosuppressed in closed places, with low ventilation and crowding if there is an increase in cases of flu syndrome in the country and testing in case of flu symptoms.
