Rospotrebnadzor enumerates viruses causing ARVI in Yaroslavl residents

The Rospotrebnadzor (Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing) Office for the Yaroslavl Region has reported a seasonal increase in the incidence of acute respiratory viral infections.

Specialists from the agency listed the most common viruses that cause ARVI in the region«s residents:

• rhinoviruses;
• metapneumoviruses;
• bocaviruses;
• adenoviruses;
• parainfluenza viruses;
• coronavirus COVID-19;
• influenza viruses.

Each pathogen has specific symptoms. Rhinovirus infection is primarily characterized by nasal congestion, sneezing, loss of smell and taste, sometimes hearing loss and fever. Moreover, local symptoms are often more pronounced than signs of intoxication.

Illness caused by metapneumovirus is usually accompanied by fever, cough, and runny nose. In rare cases, it can lead to the development of severe pneumonia requiring hospitalization.

Bocavirus affects the upper and lower respiratory tracts, causing rhinitis, acute otitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngotracheitis, pneumonia, bronchiolitis, or bronchitis. The infection often occurs in mild or moderate form. Typical symptoms include cough, runny nose, temperature from 38 to 40 °C (100.4 to 104 °F), difficulty breathing, diarrhea, vomiting, and conjunctivitis.

Adenovirus infection is often accompanied by fever, moderate intoxication, and lesions of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, eyes, and gastrointestinal tract. It is more common in children. Parainfluenza is an ARVI in which the larynx is primarily affected.

Rospotrebnadzor clarified that in January, the epidemic threshold for the overall incidence of ARVI and influenza among the entire population was not exceeded.

«Among influenza viruses, influenza A is circulating to a greater extent, specifically the A(H3N2) strain, and influenza B is also being detected,» the agency noted.

The A(H3N2) strain, known as Hong Kong flu, is characterized by acute onset, high fever, and pronounced intoxication. Patients experience headache and eye pain, muscle and joint pains, and bone aches. Influenza is dangerous due to its possible complications.

According to data for the period from January 19 to 25, 663 cases of ARVI and influenza per 100,000 population were registered in the Yaroslavl Region. Half of those ill were children under the age of 17. During the same week, COVID-19 was confirmed in 14 patients.

As of January 26, due to outbreaks of ARVI and influenza in the region, 28 school classes, one kindergarten entirely, and four groups in other preschool institutions were closed.

«In case of increased incidence registered in educational organizations, the heads make a decision to suspend the educational process in accordance with sanitary legislation,» Rospotrebnadzor reported.