Charlie Smith
THE influenza death toll in the Canary Islands has now risen to 12, as an epidemic has been declared across Spain.
The islands have also seen 95 serious cases admitted over the last week, meaning the Canaries will also now declare an epidemic.
“Everything seems to indicate the beginning of the epidemic wave this week,” read a report by the Surveillance Network of the Canary Islands Health Service (SCS).
The Canary Islands incidence rate now stands at 78.75 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, according to the General Directorate of Public Health.
Among the reasons by the SCS for planning to declare an epidemic in the Canaries, is a higher rate of incidence among children.
Over six out of 10 of those hospitalised with flu in the Canaries are over 64 – the most at risk age category.
Meanwhile 81% of those affected had risk factors, while most were never vaccinated.
