2016 left 3 influenza virus subtypes circulating in the country, these viruses are Influenza B, Influenza AH3 and the strain AH1N1 2009. However, different viruses existed during 2016.
The most recent outbreak of acute respiratory infections has killed 29 people and about other 40 other people are fighting to recover in some national hospital.
After 2 months of this nightmare, authorities ask the population not to lower their guard, because the situation is likely to get worse.
According to the authorities, this situation is not far from expected:
There is not any unusual behavior related to acute respiratory infections or to severe, acute respiratory infections. The latter are those that require hospitalization and are considered to be “serious” from an epidemiological point of view,
declared Daniel Salas, director of Health Surveillance at the Ministry of Health.
Nevertheless, authorities insists that simple actions such as hand-washing or sneezing or coughing in the arm, are the key to keeping these viruses away, but Costa Ricans need to understand them.
In addition, Salas recalled that it is important to always take care, as viruses circulate all year. Furthermore, people with chronic diseases, young children, older adults and pregnant women need to take better care of themselves since they are at higher risk.