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Warning influensav?g
Now, the number of reported flu cases.
Disease Control warns that we may be heading for a influensav?g.
- We have seen an increase, indicating that the epidemic is under way, says SMI's Annika Linde said.
Children are forced to stay home from school, adults are sick and even Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt was on Friday, decked in her home. No one is safe when it is cold times in Sweden. But it's not winter vomiting disease or the famous mykoplasman concern Disease Control. It does rather than influenza. The virus took off after Christmas and rose sharply through the chilly weather cover. Last week, reported 40 new flu cases of the predominant type A (H3), compared with 13 cases the week before. A substantial increase compared to same period last year.
- Flu spreads best when it is dry and cold. There is evidence that there is a proper peak this year, said state epidemiologist Annika Linde.
A total of 140 influenza cases reported since last fall. According to SMI's virus throughout the country and it is mainly young children and adults that have so far fallen ill. Soon also at risk of the elderly population to suffer and Annika Linde says that within risk groups that have not been vaccinated themselves should do so.
- It is high time now. In the cases we have received so far, these are mainly for young children and adults under 65, so flu has not yet reached the older generation. But sooner or later we have it on old age homes. Vaccination can make the difference between life and death, she says.
One factor that may influence the spread of influenza stronger this year is that the previous seasons have been knocked out of the swine flu, but this year has returned.
The presence of mycoplasma, the bacteria that has given many cough and breathing problems in the winter, is expected soon stagnate, as it can make room for flu, says Linde.
SMI, however, wait another week before with greater certainty can say when this year's flu peak is reached and if it can be as strong as the peak year of 2009.
Published Friday, January 27