Flu cases double this year in Sinaloa

1067

Before the high season, the state registers 1,676 probable cases, 180 confirmed and 10 deaths

In the state of Sinaloa, 1,676 probable cases of influenza have been reported this year, 180 confirmed and 10 deaths from this disease, prior to the high season at the end of the year, according to figures published by the Health Service of the State, in the Epidemiological Surveillance of Influenza program, with a cut-off at week 36.

This figure is much higher than that registered last year, in which there were 775 probable cases, 42 confirmed cases, and 3 deaths from influenza in all of 2019.

The table by municipalities is headed by Culiacán, with 887 probable cases, followed by Ahome with 305, Guasave with 270, and Mazatlán with 90.

The age range with the most cases is from 25 to 44 years, which accumulates 42% of the records, with 705 probable cases; Second, people with 50 to 59 years, with 183 cases, those of 20 to 24 years of age, with 167, and those of 45 to 49 years, with 141.

Women are the most affected by this disease, since they are 61.4% of accumulated cases, against 44.6% of men.

The deaths were registered in the municipalities of Ahome, with 3 deaths, Guasave and Navolato, with 2 cases, and Culiacán, Choix, and Escuinapa, with 1 case each.

According to official statistics, the number of probable cases accumulated in week 36 of 2020, of 1,676 patients, represents 116% more than last year’s figure, this without considering the last four months of the year yet.

It should be clarified that the probable or suspected cases are all those patients who meet the criteria for Influenza Type Illness (ILI) or Serious Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI), but who were not examined for their confirmation.

The internist Héctor Velasco Serrano, who attends several private hospitals in Mazatlán, recently warned that an increase in influenza cases is expected from mid-October, which is when the high season in the incidence of this disease begins.

Likewise, the director of the ISSSTE clinic, Eugenia Barrera Vivanco, warned that difficult days are coming, due to the increase in lung and respiratory infections of another nature not related to Covid-19, including influenza.

The recommendation to the population is to take care of themselves and maintain preventive measures such as keeping a healthy distance, wearing face masks, and constantly applying antibacterial gel or washing their hands.

Source: elsoldemazatlan.com.mx

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