Weeks ago, the Ministry of Health warned that this would happen Epidemic wave of streptococcus bacteria, the main cause of sore throats and skin infections in young children. Despite the arrival of spring, the wave continues, according to Al-Salam Alert.
In the first case, it leads to diseases such as: tonsillitis. According to data updated yesterday by the Information System for Infection Surveillance of Catalonia, 1,199 cases of this disease were detected in the health district of Girona last week, of which 486 diagnoses were due to this bacterium. In fact, diagnoses have exceeded 1,000 per week since mid-January.
On the other hand, in the case of skin infections in younger children, bacteria usually cause impetigo and scarlet fever. As for scarlet fever, high values were recorded last November, when 76 cases were discovered within one weekThen the infection decreased at Christmas, coinciding with the school holidays, when contact between children in schools decreased. But then it rose again and although the transmission stabilized, from the beginning of March it started to rise again.
Regarding herpes, there has been a similar development although cases are now increasing. Last week, 140 cases were diagnosed, while the previous week there were 133, and two weeks ago 126. The Ministry of Health indicates that the increase in bacterial infections continues and the second wave of the epidemic is “continuing.”
Although the program does not include this condition, it has recently come to light More cases of whooping cough are detected than in other years. The fact is that the latest Public Health Report in Catalonia recorded a significant rise in the morbidity during the first two months of this year with 2,284 cases (564 in 2023), most of which were reported in the areas of the del Valles region as well as in the cities of Barcelona and Lleida. In the case of Girona, there were 123 cases between January and February, while there were 23 cases in the same period last year.
The highest incidence of pertussis since the beginning of the year was recorded in Valles, with 1,185 cases (218 in 2023), followed by Barcelona, with 236 (67) and Lleida, with 227 (96). The growth of whooping cough in Catalonia was concentrated in the age group from 5 to 14 years, especially between 10 and 14 years, with 936 cases this year (182 in 2023), and with 415 cases between 5 and 9 years (56).
In the age group from 15 to 49 years, 527 cases were recorded (189 last year) and in people over 50, 218 (75 cases).
According to the authors of the Catalonia Public Health report, this increase in the spread of Bordetella pertussis bacteria “could be linked to the abolition of restrictions on social contact and the suppression of the use of masks.”
Increased pneumonia
Finally, Catalonia's infection surveillance information system warns of its detection More pneumonia Of those planned for this season. In the case of Girona, more than 200 cases have been detected every week since mid-February, a number that remains at this threshold, although it was lower last week compared to the previous week.
A decrease in bronchiolitis cases was also observed.
Transmission of influenza and COVID-19 is at low levels
For weeks, transmission of influenza and COVID-19 viruses has remained at low levels, as has the spread of respiratory viruses in general. The distribution of viruses shows a predominance of viruses causing the common cold, with rhinovirus being the most common (25.7% of samples), followed by coronavirus (22.7%), human coronavirus (10.9%), and parainfluenza (3.3%). Influenza (3%) and respiratory syncytial virus (2.6%). SARS-CoV-2 represented 1.3% of samples. In the pediatric population, multiple test positivity shows that adenovirus is the most prevalent virus.
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