TEHRAN – Influenza cases have now increased by 40 percent, which means that the diseases entered the epidemic phase, the head of the infectious diseases management center of the Ministry of Health has said.

The flu infection rate was less than one percent over the last five weeks, which is now increasing, as 50 percent of patients with severe colds are diagnosed with influenza, IRNA quoted Shahnam Arshi as saying on Monday.

The symptoms of viral diseases such as influenza, cold, and coronavirus are common, but high and sudden fever, severe muscle pain, and sore throat are the symptoms of influenza, and the affected person must take 5 to 7 days of complete rest to recover, he explained.

Seasonal influenza is characterized by a sudden onset of fever, cough (usually dry), headache, muscle and joint pain.Pointing out that the influenza epidemic is currently ongoing in the country, he called on cancer patients, dialysis patients, transplant patients, diabetics, heart patients, the elderly, and children, to inject the flu vaccine, and other people must also wear masks in crowded places and observe the physical distance.

There are 4 types of seasonal influenza viruses, types A, B, C, and D. Influenza A and B viruses circulate and cause seasonal epidemics of disease.

Seasonal influenza is characterized by a sudden onset of fever, cough (usually dry), headache, muscle and joint pain, severe malaise (feeling unwell), sore throat, and a runny nose. The cough can be severe and can last 2 or more weeks. 

Most people recover from fever and other symptoms within a week without requiring medical attention. But influenza can cause severe illness or death, especially in people at high risk. Illnesses range from mild to severe and even death. 

Hospitalization and death occur mainly among high-risk groups. Worldwide, these annual epidemics are estimated to result in about 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness, and about 290 000 to 650 000 respiratory deaths.

Pandemic preparedness plan

The World Health Organization says Iran has taken a holistic approach to developing its new national influenza pandemic preparedness plan.

The Islamic Republic of Iran’s new national influenza pandemic preparedness plan (IPPP) is comprehensive, multisectoral, and multidisciplinary, WHO said in a report published on October 14.

The national plan reflects lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, which were integrated in real-time, and includes other respiratory viruses with pandemic potential for a holistic approach.

In early 2019, the Ministry of Health and Medical Education began drafting its national IPPP, using the three-phased approach defined by WHO’s essential steps in developing or updating a national pandemic influenza preparedness plan.

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the Ministry continued developing the IPPP and expanded the planning process by analyzing the gaps and challenges faced during the response and developing a real-time roadmap and implementation plan.

Ultimately, this will help secure the plan’s endorsement by stakeholders and policy-makers.

FB/MG