The flu continues to increase in Spain: incidence rises by 32%

Flu cases increase in Spain and exceed the levels of the last two years

Flu infections continue to increase in Spainfor the second consecutive week and are at levels higher than those recorded on these same dates in other periods such as 2023-2024 or 2024-2025 –see graph, below–.

Specifically, the infections detected in Primary Care between November 3 and 9 have passed from 20.7 to 23.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, According to the latest data published by the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII).

Also the positivity of the tests has increased, which usually means that fewer cases are reported than actually occur.

Specifically, has increased from 10.7% to 13.9%which gives a total estimated incidence of 62 cases/100,000compared to the 47.1 registered the previous week – an increase of 32%.

On the other hand, the subtype most detected in the last 7 days in Primary Care is influenza Aspecifically, H3 (51), followed by H1 (24).

Hospitals

The situation in hospitals, on the other hand, is more favorable. The rate, in this case, drops by 8%, from 1.3 cases/100,000 to 1.2 in a week.

“In terms of severity, since the start of the season in week 40/2024, hospitalized cases due to flu have presented a 20.8% pneumonia4.1% admission to the ICU and 5% fatality,” they explain in the report.

VRS

Another of the viruses monitored in the Acute Respiratory Infection Surveillance System of the ISCIII It is RSV, which causes the disease known as bronchiolitis.

This pathology especially affects children under 5 years of age, but it can also cause serious symptoms in vulnerable older people –There is a vaccine that is being given in these communities for certain risk groups.

In this case, the incidence is also increasing: its estimated transmission rate has gone from 2.6/100,000 to 7.6 in a week.

Covid

It should be noted that Covid-19 appears to be losing steam compared to these two other diseases.

And its estimated incidence –calculated taking into account the positivity of the tests and detections– It’s down 77% in the last 5 weekscurrently located in 16.5 cases for every 100,000 inhabitants.

And in Europe?

Finally, at the level of the European Union, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), which also monitors these viruses, ensures that, from November 1 to 7, “Circulation of influenza and RSV remains low, but is beginning to increase in some countries.”

And they add that, in the case of SARS-CoV-2its transmission “is still widespread, but continues to decline, following a similar trend to last season.”