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Italy Logs 450,000 New Respiratory Cases in a Week as Season Intensifies

Health experts urge high‑risk people to vaccinate now to be protected within about two weeks.

Overview

  • RespiVirNet reported nearly 450,000 new acute respiratory infections during Nov. 10–16, bringing the season total above 2.1 million.
  • Laboratory surveillance shows influenza and RSV positivity remain low, with higher detections for rhinoviruses, SARS‑CoV‑2 and parainfluenza viruses.
  • UK scientists recently flagged seven mutations in an H3N2 clade, and Italian experts are watching for signs of wider circulation.
  • Sudden temperature drops and more time spent indoors are helping transmission, particularly among young children who show the highest incidence.
  • Vaccination is recommended for people over 60 and those with chronic or immune‑weakening conditions, yet elderly uptake last season was 52.5% versus a 75% goal and Italy attributes about 8,000 deaths a year to influenza and its complications.