The number of cases of influenza, chickenpox and measles decreased due to the anti-COVID-19 social gap

Flu and a number of other infectious diseases have decreased compared to a few years ago. The decrease may be due to the implementation of anti-epidemic measures such as social distancing.

Social distancing contributes to a decrease in the number of flu cases. In the photo: customers waiting in front of a fast food store in Arnhem (Netherlands) May 1-5 - Photo: REUTERS

The scientific journal Nature (UK) has an article titled "How can stopping corona virus stop the flu?".

Infection lasted only six weeks

The article notes that anti-COVID-19 measures such as social distancing, blockade, restricting crowds, disinfection and frequent hand washing seem to have reduced the number of flu infections and some infections. other.

The above results were recorded based on data of more than 150,000 test samples from national flu laboratories of 71 countries posted on the global flu monitoring website FluNet coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Normally, the number of seasonal flu cases in the Northern Hemisphere usually peaks in February and ends in late May. This year, especially, the number of cases of influenza has decreased dramatically in early April, a few weeks after the WHO announced. COVID-19 pandemic on March 11.

So this year, the flu in the Northern Hemisphere ended early and shortened by about six weeks.

Worldwide, between 290,000 and 650,000 people die each year from seasonal flu. The shortened timing of infection means tens of thousands of deaths have been reduced.

Need to get vaccinated against the flu because the disease can be fatal - Photo: path.org

Number of chickenpox cases in Hong Kong decreased by at least 50%

The decrease in the number of flu cases this year could also be attributed to other causes, such as some people with flu symptoms who do not go to the clinics for testing due to social distancing.

In addition, some other infectious diseases such as chickenpox, measles and rubella have decreased less than in previous years.

In Hong Kong, the number of infections has decreased by about half to three quarters compared to a few years ago. Only 36 cases of rubella were recorded worldwide as of April 2020. This is one of the minimum reduction rates since 2016.

Conversely, the number of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis can rise again. This is because programs to prevent these diseases have ended.

If the pandemic seems to have been contained, vaccination must continue as the disease can be fatal.

The French National Institutes of Medicine has urged people at risk of flu and those with risk factors for severe progression of cases of influenza virus infection or SARS-CoV-2 virus to be vaccinated. The flu shot must be repeated every year. HOANG DUY LONG

According to www.tuoitre.vn

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