Tunisia Suffers from Sharp Wave of Influenza Infections Putting Pressure on Hospitals

Dr. Rafik Boujdaria, head of the Epidemiological Department at Abd al-Rahman Mami Hospital in Ariana, Tunisia, announced that his country has been witnessing an acute wave of influenza infections for 3 weeks, which puts great pressure on hospitals. A large number of patients with seasonal influenza

He stated that "the beds of the epidemiological medicine department are completely full of patients, while the resuscitation beds are close to meeting their capacity, while the beds of the children's departments have exceeded their capacity, reaching 200 percent (that is, more than two children in one bed)."

He explained that the mutation of seasonal influenza viruses, especially type "A", and their acquisition of a greater ability to spread and affect the physical health of those infected with it, made Tunisia witness an increase in the number of infections with this virus, which is characterized by its rapid spread among different age groups.

This spread was explained by the decline in the collective immunity of Tunisian society during the past two years, in which Tunisia faced the Corona pandemic, the commitment of citizens to quarantine and preventive measures, and the lack of movement and mixing.