Over 95% occupancy at the moment at Makarios Hospital, where children with respiratory infections, Influenza A and Covid 19, but mainly with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the Director of the Pediatric Department, Dr. Avraam Ilias, who mentioned that Cyprus is in an epidemic phase, which occurs in the child population every three to four years.
According to Dr. Ilias, 33 children are currently being treated at Makarios Hospital, of which three are with Covid 19 all four with Influenza A.
However, he noted that the vast majority of cases are hospitalized with a respiratory infection, with the RSV virus being the predominant infection, which mainly affects infants, which is why 50% of those hospitalized in Makarios are infants and children under 12 months old.
Soon in Cyprus the 20-strength vaccines against pneumococcal
Besides, Dr. Elias made a special reference to the cases of microbial pneumonia from pneumococci, which have been recorded recently, noting that the hospitalizations of children with severe microbial pneumonias from pneumococci have increased in the last year.
He explained that this may be due to the fact that available vaccines "are not as effective against pneumococcal".
In response to a related question, he said that new multivalent vaccines are expected to be released soon, which he said have already been released in the US.
These are the 20-strength conjugated vaccines against pneumococcus, which are expected to be released soon in Cyprus as well.
Increase in hospitalizations with Covid and Flu
Speaking at KYPE, Dr. Ilias mentioned that in addition to the RSV virus, the hospitalizations of infants and toddlers with Influenza A have also started, to note that the hospitalizations of children with Influenza A have also increased. Covid 19.
"At the moment, three children are being hospitalized in Makarios Covid 19, but these children have mild symptoms, because this mutation does not cause serious complications in the child population," he said.
As he explained, "usually these are young children, who present with fever, anorexia, lethargy or children who have underlying diseases".
Eight to ten intakes per day
In the meantime, the Director of the Pediatric Department of the Makarei Hospital referred to a large traffic of cases, with admissions amounting to eight to ten per day, while at the same time he noted that as many discharges are recorded.
“This is when RSV infections in the pediatric population are expected to peak. Usually, the peak occurs at the end of January to the beginning of February, and this is when the Flu appears. "There are co-existing viruses in children, such as getting Influenza and RSV at the same time," said Dr. Elias.
He also noted that "it seems that we are going through an epidemic, which occurs in the child population every three to four years", adding that "at the moment we seem to have increased cases, that is why we say that we have an epidemic, which concerns children population, and especially infants who are more vulnerable to develop this more noisy symptomatology."
Management and planning for a possible increase in hospitalizations
When asked if the situation is manageable and if Makareio is ready to respond in case of overcrowding, Dr. Ilias said that the Management of OKYpY has made plans in case of overcrowding.
In particular, he said that in this case children will be hospitalized in other clinics at Makarios Hospital - if there are beds available - while children can be referred to other pediatric clinics of OKYPY, such as Larnaca Hospital and Limassol Hospital.
He assured that the situation is manageable and that plans are being made for a possible increase in hospitalizations for children.
It is noted that the capacity of the pediatric clinic is up to 36 children, i.e. 18 in each ward, however, there is provision to expand to 40 children, if there are needs.
Source: KYPE