In the winter of 2022, the pandemic situation in the United States became increasingly complex. In addition to the new crown pneumonia epidemic, according to the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), respiratory diseases appeared earlier this year and more people were infected. Recently, it was reported that American experts warned that this winter, there may be a "triple epidemic" superimposed in the United States - the confluence of new crown, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
The new crown variant is on the rise
According to the New York Times, the number of people diagnosed with new coronary pneumonia in some parts of the United States has begun to rise. Hospitalizations and deaths are also on the rise in several European countries, including France, Germany and the United Kingdom.
The emergence of multiple variants is a major factor in the rise in confirmed cases. Previously, the Omicron BA.5 subtype had been the most immune evasive variant, but it is rapidly being replaced by other variants, two of which have shown a stronger ability to evade immunity. A variant known as BQ.1.1 is the main candidate for winter outbreaks.
In addition, according to data released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on October 28, the proportion of Omicron BA.5 subvariants in confirmed cases in the United States fell to 49.6%, while BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 grew rapidly, doubling almost every week, and the combined infection rate of the two strains has reached 27%, up rapidly from 16% in the previous week.
The latest data released by WHO shows that as of early October, the global prevalence of BQ.1 was 6%, which has been detected in 65 countries and territories. At the same time, WHO said that BQ.1 and XBB are subtypes of concern and will continue to closely monitor BQ.1 and XBB, and asked countries to remain vigilant in this regard, continue to monitor and report gene sequences, and conduct independent and comparative analysis of different Omicron sublineages.
Recently, a new research report disclosed by Ohio State University in the United States found that BQ.1 is highly contagious, inheriting the immune evasion of BA.4 and BA.5, and compared with BA.4 and BA.5, BQ.1 has stronger fusion, that is, the subvariant can fuse better with human cells.
A professor at the University of Washington's Health Institute warned that if the study is confirmed, widespread transmission of BQ.1 will lead to more hospitalizations and deaths.
The hospitalization rate reached a new high
The latest data released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the 4th showed that influenza infection cases in the United States this year's flu season continued to rise, and it is expected that there have been at least 1.6 million infected cases, including 13,000 hospitalized cases.
A high school in Virginia, USA, was exposed to be absent from about half of its students because they all had flu symptoms and so on.
Sandra Osborne, a spokeswoman for Stafford High School, said the school has a total of about 2,100 enrolled students. In the past week, about 1,000 students have called for leave, preventing school activities from taking place normally. According to the school's website, all weekend events and sports days have been canceled.
Melissa Aguero, a doctor at a local emergency hospital, explained: "Right now, we are not wearing masks in many cases, which will lead to the spread of any viral respiratory disease (barrier-free), not just the flu, we will see more cold symptoms... Especially in crowd gathering places such as nurseries and schools. ”
Currently, influenza-like illness is spreading widely in schools in several parts of the United States. Last week, at least two high schools in a school district in San Diego, United States, reported high absentee rates. Data from one of the schools showed that about 1,000 of the 2,600 students were absent.
According to the Virginia Department of Health in early October, local flu cases have been widespread since three months ago. Yet during the same period last year, there was little sign of the flu cases beginning. Aguero doesn't think this bodes well, saying: "People will gather to celebrate the upcoming holiday. All the gatherings that will take place will be a microcosm of a series of communication events. ”
Dr. John Bronstein, epidemiologist and chief innovation officer at Boston Children's Hospital, said, "The combination of a shortage of health care workers, inadequate bed capacity and a constantly spreading viral disease constitutes an unfortunate 'storm' that we are seeing happening all over the United States." ”
Or the current severe flu season
Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that cases of influenza and other respiratory illnesses have exceeded normal levels in previous years, and a severe flu season in the United States is likely this winter.
Some states in the southern United States have reported an increase in ventilator use. New York Health Department officials announced earlier this month that the flu had spread widely in New York.
CDC Director Rochelle Warrensky, who was diagnosed with the new crown on October 22, said on social media a few days ago that respiratory viruses are spreading in the United States. She called on people to get vaccinated, stay at home and practice hand hygiene when they get sick, and "take precautions to stop the spread of viruses like influenza, RSV and coronavirus." ”
This means that the United States may be on the brink of a "triple pandemic" crisis or pose a threat to the U.S. health system.
According to CBS, RSV cases are rising rapidly among children, overwhelming children's hospitals. "Many pediatric ICUs across the country are overcrowded." CBS Medical News contributor David Agus said, "Most hospitalizations now are related to flu and RSV. ”
RSV can pose a risk to anyone, but the greatest risk is for children under 5 years of age, especially infants under 1 year of age and seniors over 65. RSV kills about 14,000 people each year among people aged 65 and older and up to 300 deaths among children under 5. Unfortunately, there is currently no vaccine against RSV.
Before the coronavirus swept the world, the flu virus sickened millions of people and killed tens of thousands of Americans every winter. U.S. flu cases typically begin to rise in October each year, continue until March of the following year, and peak between December and February. But in parts of the United States, the 2022 flu season has already begun. Alarmingly, before the pandemic, the flu virus sickened millions of Americans every winter, causing 13 million doctor visits, 380,000 hospitalizations, and 28,000 deaths in the winter of 2018-2019.
Alpana Wagmare, an infectious disease specialist at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and a physician at Seattle Children's Hospital, said: "We see everything coming back. ”
Public health experts warn that the symptoms of most people infected with coronavirus, flu and RSV may be mild, but together they could sicken millions of Americans and wipe out hospitals. (Rule of Law Daily, Wang Gong)
Source: Rule of Law Daily