Flurona unfortunate but not unusual, says expert

An infectious disease expert on Monday downplayed concerns that the flurona (flu and coronavirus) infection is a “major breakdown of one’s immunity,” as the Philippines had also detected the same case in its first COVID-19 death.

At a virtual briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that this ‘flurona’ which was detected in a person from Israel, is an infection of both the influenza virus and the SARS-CoV-2 virus in one individual.

Dr. Edsel Salvaña explained that it was an “unfortunate confluence of events” if a person was exposed to two pathogens.

“This is actually not unusual. Our very first COVID death in the Philippines back in January 2020, a Chinese national, had both influenza B and coronavirus. He also had Streptococcus pneumoniae,” he said.

Salvaña added that comorbid conditions such as diabetes and hypertension are a factor for the said infection.

“But it is not unusual to see coinfection in these cases,” he added.

Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega on Monday also allayed concerns regarding the flurona, saying that it is not a cause of concern here in the Philippines.

Vergeire however stressed that there is no exact list of symptoms that would determine if one has flu or COVID-19 as they have several similarities in symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, and runny nose.

“Ang amin pong advice sa ating mga kababayan na nakakaranas ng kahit na anong sintomas related to COVID-19, huwag tayong magdadalawang isip na baka flu o trangkaso lang ito. Immediately isolate yourselves and have yourself tested para tayo ay maging sigurado,” she said.

[Our advice for those who experience any COVID-19 symptoms is to not hesitate if it is the flu. Immediately isolate yourselves and get tested to be sure.]

Salvaña also called for the public to get the pertinent vaccines to avoid getting the flurona.

“We advise everyone, especially those who are vulnerable, to get your influenza shot, your COVID vaccine, and pneumonia vaccine para protektado po tayo dahil mas mataas talaga ‘yung tsansa na mamatay tayo kapag nag-patong patong itong virus at bacteria na ito (so we could get protected as there is a higher chance of death if these virus and bacteria overlap),” Salvaña said.

'Demicron'

Further, Vergiere said that aside from flurona, the DOH has also heard concerns of the “delmicron,” which is not a new coronavirus variant but a “phenomenon of increasing COVID-19 cases in an area brought about by both the Delta and Omicron variants.”

“In line with that, we will foresee more mutations of COVID-19 virus or any other virus for that matter as long as transmission is enabled,” she said.

Mutations are then propagated when transmission is enabled by the people themselves most especially by unvaccinated people not wearing masks and speaking loudly while eating.

Transmision is also possible in a setting with crowds or with poor ventilation or airflow, and when virus stays longer in a person before it is cleared, Vergeire added.

As of Monday, there were 4,084 additional COVID-19 infections, bringing the country’s total tally to 2,855,819.

The total recoveries reached 2,779,241, with 497 new ones, while 16 new COVID-19 fatalities raised the death toll to 51,586. —NB, GMA News