Liguria in ‘yellow zone’ for parainfluenza syndromes

The latest epidemiological report from the Italian National Institute of Health’s RespiVirNet surveillance network has classified Liguria in the ‘yellow zone’ with an incidence of 6.74 cases of parainfluenza syndromes per thousand people. In the week between 4 and 10 November, 575 cases were reported in Liguria by 60 medical practitioners, who treated 85,278 patients. The incidence is markedly elevated in the 0-4 age group (14.93 cases per thousand patients) and exceeds the national average in adults aged 15-64 (7.62 cases). In the other age groups, however, the incidence is below the national epidemic threshold (6.3 cases per thousand people). Among the currently circulating viruses, the SARS-CoV-2 ranks as the primary agent of concern, followed by the seasonal influenza virus and the human syncytial virus. But there are also several parainfluenza viruses, including the adenovirus. In most cases, these patients do not require hospital admission or hospitalisation. Vaccination remains the primary prevention strategy, particularly for the most vulnerable groups, such as patients with chronic respiratory diseases, who may experience complications due to the virus or the superimposition of other organisms, causing bronchitis, pneumonia, and bronchopneumonia.