Italy, incoming pandemic plan to control circulating respiratory viruses

The data reported by the Italian respiratory virus surveillance system (RespiVirNet), coordinated by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) with the support of the Ministry of Health, for the last week of November, indicate that the national incidence of influenza-like syndromes (ILS) was 7.8 cases per thousand assisted, representing a slight increase compared to the previous week (7.2 cases per thousand assisted). The Ministry of Health has indicated that, at this time, ILS appears to be sustained by the co-circulation of several respiratory viruses. This is demonstrated by virological surveillance, which has noted that the circulation of influenza viruses is still at low levels. Specifically, only 1.6% of samples tested positive for influenza viruses, while all others tested positive for other respiratory viruses, including Rhinovirus, parainfluenza viruses, SARS-CoV-2, etc. According to the latest data from the national health authorities, the number of cases of influenza is rising, although this is in line with seasonal forecasts. The situation is monitored following the PanFlu plan, which is currently in force and pending final approval of the new pandemic plan for respiratory virus control.