Acute Respiratory Infections Increase 88 Percent

The Ministry of Health (SSA) reported that, since the beginning of the winter season, cases of acute respiratory infections (ARI) have increased 88.6 percent in comparison to last year. Additionally, there has been a rebound of COVID-19 cases caused by Omicron sub-variants in Mexico.

President López Obrador recently announced that the sixth wave of COVID-19 in Mexico, already accounts for 28,000 active cases in the country since Dec. 20, 2022. However, he stated that the disease is no longer lethal, so there is nothing to worry about as long as general preventive measures are being held by the population. 

On the other hand, the Weekly Report for Epidemiological Surveillance of Respiratory Infections 2022, published by the SSA, established that there has been an 88.6 increase in ARIs between Dec. 5 and Dec. 11, compared to the same period in 2021. 

The SSA defines ARIs as diseases that affect ears, nose, throat and lungs. ARIs are mostly transmitted by viruses, although they can also be caused by bacteria or parasites, passed from person to person or by contact with contaminated surfaces.

According to the report, the states with the highest ARI incidence are Zacatecas, Tlaxcala and Chihuahua, followed by Queretaro. Moreover, the states that presented the smallest decrease in cases during epidemiological week 49, compared to the previous week, are Chihuahua, Guerrero, Hidalgo, State of Mexico, Mexico City, Nuevo Leon, Tabasco and Veracruz.

Moreover, data from the report revealed that children between 0 and 14 years old are more likely to get infected by ARIs, with babies younger than one year old being the most vulnerable. "The cumulative national incidence rate up to epidemiological week 49 in children under one year is 71,847 cases and in the one to four-year-old group is 51,261,” the report reads. In addition, 55 percent of cases listed have been in women.

ARI symptoms include cough, headache, fever, irritability, hoarseness, ear pain or discharge and nose covered by mucus discharge. Treatment does not require antibiotics and the infection usually does not last longer than 15 days. 

Zoé Robledo, Director, IMSS, recalled the importance of preventive measures such as frequent hand washing, covering the mouth when sneezing, wearing a mask and disinfecting commonly used surfaces and objects. Furthermore, he recommended wearing proper clothing for cold weather, being aware of sudden temperature changes, eating foods with high content in vitamin C, drinking water and not self-medicating.