The emergency departments of Italian hospitals are saturated due to a particularly virulent influenza epidemic and the circulation of other winter viruses.
- The emergency services of Italian hospitals are saturated. More than 1,100 people were waiting for care in the Rome region.
- The saturation is caused by a particularly virulent influenza epidemic and the circulation of numerous other viruses such as the covid-19 JN.1 variant or even bronchiolitis.
- Vaccination and respect for barrier gestures remain the most effective means of combating winter viruses, according to experts.
The start of 2024 is particularly difficult for Italian hospitals. They face “a ‘overcrowding’ in hospitals and very strong pressure on emergency services”according to Fabio de Lacopresident of the Italian Society of Emergency Medicine and Urgent Care (Simeu). The cause ? A particularly virulent influenza epidemic coupled with numerous cases of Covid-19 linked to the JN.1 variant and bronchiolitis.
Flu epidemic in Italy: more than 1,100 patients waiting for treatment in Rome
“The influenza epidemic curve showed an incidence value never reached during previous seasons”indicates the latest transalpine epidemiological bulletin from the Higher Institute of Health.
This situation creates serious hospital tensions on Italian soil. According to the latest known figures, more than 1,100 patients were waiting to be admitted to treatment in the Rome region. In Milan, normal admissions have been suspended to free up beds to treat patients affected by winter respiratory infections.
“Several regions have activated plans to combat overcrowding of hospitals and health facilities to find beds additional”explained Dr. Fabio of Laco to the press. “But As hospital beds are chronically scarce, in practice there is nothing to do but take beds away from other specialties, such as surgery. Of course, this does not solve the issue”he concludes.
Saturation of Italian hospitals: a triple epidemic involved?
Italian hospital saturation is causing concern beyond the country’s borders. The American epidemiologist, Eric Feigl-Dingwrote on (ex-Twitter): “Something very strange is happening in Italy. Italian scientists baffled by rising hospital emergencies. He adds that this epidemic of influenza syndrome is in full swing and could get even worse since it “has not yet reached its peak for this winter“.
However, French experts want to be more reassuring. Benjamin Davidoinfectious disease specialist at the hospital Raymond-Poincaré of Garches in Hauts-de-Seine, questioned by TF1recalls that “the flu is a winter illness that we know well, and that we arrive in the meteorological winter”. He recalls that after three years marked by the Covid pandemic, “things balance out”. “Covid-19 has found its place, less strong than in the last three years”And “each of the infectious agents seeks to make its place”. For him, the Italian situation results from a lack of anticipation in the face of the return of winter viruses alongside Covid-19 and a healthcare system – which like in France – “erodes”.
Asked by Atlanticoepidemiologist Antoine Flahault, explains for his part: “the flu is due to expected seasonal strains and waves of Covid have returned every three to six months for four years now. Vaccines protect against their serious forms, when they have been administered. However, Europe, apart from the United Kingdom, has shunned these vaccine boosters this autumn”.
The specialist recalls that we “could significantly reduce the burden of these germs. To do this, we need to better ventilate the enclosed spaces where we live. Coupled with vaccination of frail and elderly people and pregnant women, adequate ventilation and the wearing of masks FFP2 could considerably reduce the pressure on hospitals, but also school and professional absenteeism.
