Flu falls for the second consecutive week in the CSC

The incidence of influenza in the Basque Autonomous Community continues to decline forthe second consecutive week. However, the Department of Health of the Basque Government and Osakidetza have called for caution due to the increase in social activity during Christmas. According to the latest data for the week from 15 to 21 December (week 51), the incidence rate is 617.18 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

In the last week, 1,876 cases of influenza have been diagnosed, which is 10.5% less than in the previous week. Hospitalizations have also fallen, with 252 people hospitalized, 12.7% less. Osakidetza believes that the peak of the epidemic reached between the week 49 and the week 50, but maintains active surveillance of the possibility of an increase in the coming days, coinciding with the Christmas celebrations.

By territory, Álava has the highest incidence at the moment, with 704 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, followed by Bizkaiawith 642.86 and Gipuzkoawith 541.03. Since the start of the campaign, a total of 13,914 cases of influenza have been recorded in the three territories, resulting in 1,656 hospitalizations, 51 of them in intensive care units.

Despite the reduction in cases, theBasque Government has recalled that vaccination is the 'most effective' measure to prevent influenza and reduce serious complications. The vaccination campaign, which was launched four weeks earlier this year, has already provided around 585,774 doses of flu vaccine and 300,000 doses against covid-19, an increase of 11.3% over the same period last year.