Respiratory infections rise in Altiplano as Andalusia expands RSV immunization

Respiratory infections have seen a significant surge in the Altiplano region of Spain, specifically within the Yecla and Jumilla health areas. Between September 21 and 27, primary care recorded 376 cases of acute respiratory infection, marking a 67.1% weekly increase. Influenza cases specifically rose by 450%, jumping from two cases to eleven in a single week. Additionally, diagnoses of bronchitis and acute bronchiolitis increased by 60% during the same period.

In response to respiratory threats, the immunization campaign against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is showing progress in Andalusia. In Almería, 1,977 infants were immunized within the first ten days of the program, achieving a 57.8% coverage rate among children born since April. Across the entire autonomous community of Andalusia, 16,941 babies have been protected so far, a 14.5% increase compared to the same period last year. The regional government has allocated 15.2 million euros to this preventive strategy, which has previously helped reduce bronchiolitis-related hospitalizations by 80%.