- The prevalence of influenza is increasing at an accelerated pace, especially after lifting the preventive measures followed during the Covid-19 pandemic
- The number of infections recorded weekly in Australia since mid-April has exceeded the average rate for the past five years. Influenza cases are expected to increase and spread around the world before its usual season at the beginning of October
- The influenza vaccine contributes to reducing the spread and risk of infection development in high-risk groups
- Influenza causes serious complications to the heart and blood vessels, as the risk of a heart attack increases by 10 times in the few days following infection with the flu, while the risk of stroke increases by 8 folds even in people who have not previously had any type of heart disease
Beirut, October 24, 2022. As witnessed in the southern hemisphere, global expectations indicate a fierce resurgence of influenza even before its usual season at the beginning of October. This is the result of lifting restrictions and measures imposed around the world to limit the spread of COVID-19. Australia has witnessed a significant and alarming rise in the number of cases recorded weekly since mid-April, exceeding the average rate of the past five years. The figures indicate that the number of influenza infections has doubled compared to the period before the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. There was also an increase in cases requiring hospital treatment and in the death rates due to serious complications that occur among people aged 65 and above. Influenza also causes high levels of absenteeism from work or school and significantly reduces productivity. Based on WHO research estimates, 99% deaths of children under five with influenza-related lower respiratory tract diseases have been recorded in developing countries.
Influenza is a respiratory infection that causes serious complications, that can sometimes be fatal. According to the WHO recommendations, the influenza vaccine is the most effective way to prevent the disease, reduce its spread and protect people at risk and those who accompany them from developing serious complications from influenza, consequently, avoid burdens and pressures on hospitals and the healthcare system in general. People considered at risk are those who suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, HIV/AIDS, asthma, heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, health workers, the elderly over the age of 65, pregnant women, in addition to children. According to the WHO, it is recommended that people who are at high risk of FLU complications receive the influenza vaccine annually.
Dr. Youssef Bakhash
President of the Lebanese Doctors Syndicate
“Lebanese population should be alert and aware of the influenza risks. The responsibility in confronting this virus is shared with the members of society as well as the medical and health authorities especially in light of the difficult economic crisis and the hardships faced during the COVID-19 pandemic”. Bakhash also pointed out, “in the absence of essential and indispensable capabilities in healthcare centers in Lebanon to absorb more influenza infections, it is important to raise awareness about receiving the influenza vaccine to immunize the most vulnerable groups, to reduce the spread of the FLU virus, it’s development, and severity of infections”.
Meral Akcay
Global Medical Product Lead – Flu Franchise
“The world has witnessed significant changes in the form and prevalence of influenza this season. In Australia, the number of influenza detections exceeding the average numbers recorded over the past five years. These figures and data serve as a warning about the risk of a resurgence of flu and the negative consequences for people’s health, healthcare systems, and the medical sector in general. Based on Sanofi’s position, we will continue to work and collaborate with health authorities and partners to enhance the level of awareness within communities based on WHO recommendations: ‘Countries are recommended to monitor the co-circulation of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses. They are encouraged to enhance integrated surveillance and step-up their influenza vaccination campaign to prevent severe disease and hospitalizations associated with influenza’.”
The danger of influenza lies within the ensuing complications, especially in people who are most at risk as these complications lead to pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis, and ear infections, as well as the effects of influenza on the heart, arteries, and blood vessels by triggering heart attack or stroke in the 3 days following laboratory-confirmed influenza infection with an increased risk of 10 and 8 times respectively. With the start of the back-to-school season, the risk of influenza spread among children, who are also the main transmitters of the influenza virus to families, the elderly, and the most vulnerable groups, emerge. Immunization with influenza vaccine in children contributes to avoiding complications of otitis media by 31% and reducing the use of antibiotics by 39%.
Marwan Sherif
General Manager at Sanofi Lebanon and Head of Vaccines Department in Levant
“All health authorities, organizations, and Sanofi partners need to cooperate to promote and raise awareness about the risk of influenza, its preventive measures, and the importance of vaccination to achieve herd immunity and reduce the burdens on the health sector due to the spread and exacerbation of cases of influenza infection”.
It should be noted that the similarity of the symptoms of seasonal influenza with the symptoms of the Coronavirus constitutes a major challenge for healthcare providers. Diagnosing the infection that the patient suffers from and determining the appropriate treatment can be demanding. This is in addition to the possibility of infection of the same person with multiple respiratory viruses simultaneously i.e., COVID-19 and influenza, which can lead to more severe symptoms and increase the burden on the healthcare system.
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1 Ref: https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/influenza-(seasonal)
2 Ref: 2022_10_03_surveillance_update_429.pdf (who.int)