Yucatán ranks first nationally in confirmed influenza cases during the interseasonal period (from May to September), with a 387% increase in positive patients compared to the previous year.
According to the latest report from the federal Ministry of Health (SS), the state has recorded 453 cases of influenza up to epidemiological week 38, in contrast to the 93 cases reported in the same period in 2023.
This increase positions Yucatán as the most affected state by the disease during this period.
The positivity rate in Yucatán—the percentage of tests that come back positive for influenza—stands at 16.7%, considerably above the national average of 3.7%.
Additionally, the state has recorded one death related to the disease so far this year. Nationally, the influenza season has resulted in 1,914 cases and 41 deaths.
Pulmonologist Ernesto González Aguirre explained that this outbreak in Yucatán can be attributed to a combination of climatic and social factors:
“The warm and humid climate of Yucatán facilitates the spread of respiratory viruses like influenza. Additionally, after the relaxation of health measures maintained during the COVID-19 pandemic, the population has let its guard down in terms of prevention, allowing greater circulation of the virus,” he warned.
The specialist emphasized the urgency of strengthening vaccination campaigns, especially among high-risk groups such as the elderly, young children, and people with chronic diseases.
“It is important to intensify vaccination efforts. The influenza vaccine remains the best tool to prevent severe cases and avoid more deaths,” he added.
Marcela Ku, a resident of Mérida, was one of the people who contracted influenza last month. She describes her experience as exhausting:
“It started as a simple cold, but within a few days, I couldn’t get out of bed due to fatigue and muscle aches. I was worried it was COVID-19, but it turned out to be type A influenza. It was a tough week.”
Ku highlighted that despite taking basic preventive measures, she had not been vaccinated against influenza:
“I didn’t think it was that serious, but I realized that with so many diseases circulating, like COVID-19, I should have gotten vaccinated. Now I won’t take that risk again,” she assured.
According to the Ministry of Health, the A (H3N2) subtype of influenza has been predominant throughout the country, responsible for 77.4% of cases.
Yucatán has been no exception. Additionally, the state has recorded 315 positive COVID-19 cases so far this year, with a positivity rate of 6.1% and 14 associated deaths.
Yucatán has been identified as the main focus of influenza, along with Campeche and Tabasco. The influenza vaccination campaign began in October 2023 and concluded in March of this year.
Currently, influenza is one of the highly contagious diseases, so infected individuals are advised to isolate themselves for a period to avoid spreading it to others.
States with the most confirmed influenza cases:
– Yucatán: 453 cases, 1 death
– Guerrero: 171 cases, 3 deaths
– Campeche: 147 cases, 5 deaths
– Tabasco: 114 cases, 1 death
– Quintana Roo: 96 cases, 5 deaths
– Mexico City: 90 cases, 2 deaths
– Veracruz: 68 cases, 3 deaths
– Jalisco: 64 cases, 3 deaths
– Colima: 63 cases, 1 death
– Nayarit: 62 cases, 1 death
