The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning to countries especially countries in the warm southern hemisphere including Thailand Be on the lookout to monitor and prepare for influenza and the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) as well as increase influenza vaccination campaigns. which may be infected with COVID-19
Assoc. Prof. (Special) Dr. Tawee Chotiphitayasunont President of the Foundation for the Promotion of Influenza Education and pediatric infectious disease specialists Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health (Children’s Hospital) revealed the current situation of influenza that is coming back to spread once more since many countries around the world. Including Thailand has begun to relax measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which has been spreading for more than 2 years and partially cancel the wearing of masks. including the opening of the country freely Data from the Australian Public Health Agency (as of 19 June 2022) has reported 147,155 cumulative cases of influenza, with 989 hospitalized inpatients. As many as 6.1 percent, or regarding 60 cases, require treatment in the ICU, with 54 deaths from influenza-related causes, while neighboring countries like Malaysia There are concerns regarding the return of the flu epidemic. Because in the country began to find more influenza patients. There have also been reports of an increase in the number of influenza cases in the past few months. country as well Although the information in Thailand has begun to make it highly likely that the influenza epidemic will return in Thailand once more.
Influenza that may return to epidemic in 2022 following declining during the Covid-19 outbreak Expected to be more severe than in the past 2 years due to the Covid-19 epidemic. most of the people have a distance and wear a mask as a routine Which is considered a shield once morest the virus as well. But on the other hand, people are deprived of the opportunity to get natural immunity from influenza infection. Also following the announcement of the cancellation of various preventive measures Stop wearing masks It will make it easier for people to get the virus that spreads in the air. In addition, in the past, the weather fluctuated from global warming. And many countries are in the rainy season with humid weather, which makes the virus spread easily and last longer. The long absence of immunity is another factor that makes the disease more severe and widespread than usual. Especially those at risk of severe influenza, such as pregnant women, young children aged 6 months – 2 years, the elderly aged 65 years and over, including those with chronic medical conditions such as lung disease, heart disease, and stroke. Chronic kidney disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, etc.
There are two main parts of concern regarding the spread of influenza: 1. Full school opening. The important variables were ‘young children’ aged 0-4 years and ‘school-age children’ aged 5-9 years, followed by ‘older children’ aged 10-19 years, which are considered as intermediaries that will carry the influenza virus to other members in the family This will affect the elderly such as grandparents, grandparents, especially if there are elderly people with chronic illnesses. The higher the risk of severe disease, the higher it is. In addition, other foreign studies have also found that 7 out of 10 people over 65 are infected with influenza. There is a high risk of complications such as pneumonia, inflammation of the brain. multiple organ failure and sepsis in the bloodstream as well
2. Opening of international borders It is estimated that this year there will be at least 10 million tourists coming to Thailand. The concern is that tourists in many countries will have guidelines to prevent COVID-19. Different from Thai people, for example, they do not like to wear masks. or no spacing Also, if a tourist coming from the southern hemisphere, such as Australia, New Zealand, is a zone where the flu epidemic is increasing. It may affect other tourists. including Thai people involved in getting influenza and may spread in Thailand more widely It is considered a cycle of influenza epidemic in many countries in the near future.
Assoc. Prof. (Special) Dr. Tawee Chotiphitayasunont Reiterated to parents with children aged 0-19, who will be the group that brings the disease to group 608, which is the same risk group as covid-19 including the general public Influenza prevention should not be ignored and should be prevented early, as ‘influenza vaccination’ is the most cost-effective key to protecting yourself and your loved ones from the devastating effects of influenza and Infection with other chronic diseases by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) USA has compiled the results of several studies. A 2018 study shows that adults are vaccinated. People with influenza were 59% less likely to be treated in the ICU than those who were not vaccinated. A 2021 study found that adults vaccinated with influenza had a lower risk of death from influenza. down 31% compared to those who were not vaccinated once morest the flu.
Currently, medical and public health facilities Public and private hospitals in Thailand The influenza vaccine in the 2022 season, also known as the ‘Southern Hemisphere Flu 2022 Vaccine’, is available for both 3-strain (free) and 4-strain, which will cover a wider range of influenza strains than the triple strain. The people can receive the 4-strain influenza vaccine at the general private hospitals. It has been open for service from today until the end of December 2022.