The tripledemic that threatens Mexico this winter: Covid, RSV, Influenza

If the sixth wave of COVID-19 in winter and an influenza season that threatens to be the strongest in years is not enough, a new concern is emerging for researchers and the health sector worldwide: the tripledemic.

Tripledemia is the coincidence in the environment of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (which causes COVID-19), the RSV virus, and the influenza virus.

“We are seeing similar numbers of COVID, influenza, and RSV and that is very worrying because it is too early for the flu and RSV season to start,” Diego Hijano, a specialist in pediatric infectious diseases at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, told the New York Times.

The fear of tripledemics is already pervading the United States, which, in recent weeks, has registered an increase in the epidemic activity of COVID-19 and an alarming number of cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

RSV is a virus that can cause the common cold, or more serious infections such as bronchiolitis, which is inflammation of the small airways in the lung, and pneumonia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC).

Will Mexico suffer from a tripledemic?

Even though we are in a relatively favorable moment in Mexico regarding COVID-19, it is important to highlight that in the five waves that have occurred in our country, there is a precedent of increased epidemic activity in Europe and the US.

Currently, in practically all of Europe, as well as in some cities in the US and Canada, there has been a considerable increase in infections, so a sixth wave of COVID-19 in Mexico is inevitable.

In addition, as this coincides with the advance of autumn and winter, it is highly likely that other acute respiratory infections typical of the season (such as influenza and RSV ) can cause potentially serious conditions in vulnerable people, warned the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

“It is a fact that a sixth wave of COVID is coming. It has already started in Europe and this is reported by the early indicators in the United States; in several cities, they have already begun to detect the virus in the drainage, that is the first indicator of the activity of the epidemic, ”said Dr. Mauricio Rodríguez Álvarez, spokesman for Emergency Care at UNAM.

“We here in Mexico are still in the inertia of the drop in the fifth wave, but we are going to begin to see more activity, little by little, and it is most likely that by the end of November we will begin to see an increase in the number of cases “, said the specialist.

Recommendations for tripledemia

Due to the above, the UNAM made a series of recommendations to prevent contagion from any of the three diseases:

• Complete the vaccination schedule against COVID-19 with the corresponding reinforcements according to age or individual health condition. It is convenient that all people over 60 years of age, as well as those over 18 with a predisposing disease, and all health personnel, have two boosters. And those who are over 18 without predisposing diseases have an additional booster to their first scheme, regardless of which vaccine(s) they have received.
• Correctly use the mask when carrying out activities in closed spaces.
• Permanently ventilate closed places where activities are carried out (open doors and windows), as well as have individual hygiene (hand washing, use of gel, sneezing etiquette) and cleaning of facilities.
• In the presence of symptoms of respiratory disease, avoid going to places of work, study, or recreation, and suspend trips, to reduce the risk of contagion. Seek diagnosis, and if it is confirmed to be COVID-19, keep isolation for at least seven days from the onset of symptoms or the first positive diagnostic test (whichever comes first), and return to activities once this period is completed, always and when three days have passed without fever (without taking medication for it).
• Do not self-medicate, monitor the evolution, and timely identify any complications.