The strain on primary care physicians due to the flu epidemic has significantly eased, according to the latest weekly bulletin from the Sciensano health institute released on Wednesday. While hospitalizations related to flu infections have seen a slight increase, Sciensano notes that figures from primary care may have been influenced by the school holiday period.
During the week of February 16 to February 22 (week eight), the number of people visiting their doctor with flu-like symptoms decreased to 173 consultations per 100,000 inhabitants. This represents a 73 percent drop from the 658 consultations recorded during the February 9-15 period, coinciding with the school break. The number of people seeking medical attention for acute respiratory infections also declined. The number of infections in nursing homes, still, experienced a slight rise. Fewer than five deaths attributed to the flu were reported for week eight, and the number of positive laboratory tests for influenza continues to steadily decrease.
Hospital data lags behind other indicators by one week. Between February 9 and February 15, hospitalizations showed an increase, rising from 19.4 to 20.6 per 100,000 inhabitants. Children under four years old are still being frequently admitted to hospitals. The number of hospitalizations due to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections is also experiencing a slight increase after weeks of decline. This highlights the continued circulation of multiple respiratory viruses and the importance of preventative measures.
Four weeks ago, the Risk Management Group (RMG) of the Federal Public Health Service raised the general warning level for respiratory infections to code orange. The RMG will reconvene tomorrow, Thursday, to re-evaluate the warning level.
Under code orange, individuals are urged to stay home when sick, but are also recommended to wear a mask in crowded places, when in contact with vulnerable individuals, and during all interactions with healthcare personnel – as long as mild symptoms persist and for at least five days after the onset of those symptoms. These recommendations aim to protect both individuals and the healthcare system from further strain.
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