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07 February 2019There are 282 serious cases and 52 deaths due to influenza - 13 of them in the last week - recorded since the beginning of the epidemic season. This is the budget of the Influnet surveillance network of the Higher Institute of Health. The number of serious cases and deaths has increased in the last 7 days monitored, which marked the peak of infections with 832,000 cases in a week. 80% of severe cases and 85% of deaths present at least one pre-existing chronic disease.The InfluNet National Surveillance System data show that in the fifth week of 2019 (January 28 - February 3), most likely, the epidemic curve of influenza syndromes reached its seasonal peak. In line with the data of recent years, also this flu season has affected above all the pediatric ages. In particular, it emerges that the incidence for children under five exceeded that of the 2017-18 season.
The influence has affected all the Italian regions, although "in particular - the surveillance network notes - those of the Center and South". Since the beginning of the surveillance, 4,780,000 cases of flu syndrome have been estimated throughout the country.
"61% of serious cases are male and with an average age of 61. Among the deceased, the median age is 69 years and 91% of deaths occurred in subjects of age 50 or above years - highlights the report - In 80% of serious cases and in 85% of the deceased there was at least one pre-existing risk condition (diabetes, tumors, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, obesity) and 83% were unvaccinated . Four serious cases occurred in pregnant women ".