Over 60% acute respiratory infection cases detected among kids in Almaty

A total of 7,527 cases of acute respiratory viral infection among children were detected in Almaty last week, Kazinform News Agency reports.

Kasymkhan Alpysbayuly, head of the Department of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control of Almaty, stated that the city is currently experiencing a seasonal rise in the incidence of acute respiratory infection, though levels remain within acceptable parameters.

A total of 12,164 cases of acute respiratory viral infection were documented during the said week, indicating a rate of 530.59 cases per 100,000 population.

“This is two times lower than in the same period last year (24,085 cases) and 34.8% lower than in the previous week (18,659 cases). The morbidity rate of 61.9% is due to the child population. Other non-influenza acute respiratory viral infection viruses are circulating in the city in parallel: rhinovirus, bocavirus, RS virus, adenovirus, parainfluenza and seasonal coronavirus,” said Kasymkhan Alpysbayuly.

Metapneumovirus, classified as an acute respiratory virus, has not been detected in the city so far.

Earlier Kazinform News Agency reported that metapneumovirus strains had been detected in Kazakhstan.