Respiratory viruses on the rise in Italy

Despite the conclusion of RespiVirNet surveillance by the Higher Institute of Health with the last official Bulletin issued on May 3, experts have noted an unusual situation where over 150,000 individuals per week are affected by the flu, particularly by respiratory viruses. Rhinovirus comes first, followed by other pathogens such as parainfluenza virus, enterovirus, adenovirus, and metapneumovirus. Spring climate instability is behind this year’s exceptional circulation of respiratory viruses, say epidemiologists. Experts call on all citizens to adopt preventive behaviours to reduce the risk of infection, in addition to vaccination, especially for syncytial virus infections.