Contents
The number of cases of all infectious diseases, except for COVID-19, was several times lower last year than in previous years, according to a report by the National Institute of Public Health of the National Institute of Hygiene. On the one hand, it is the effect of lockdown and the introduction of sanitary restrictions, on the other – it is the result of difficult access to health care and worse diagnostics.
- National epidemiology consultant: 2020 decline in infectious disease incidence was spectacular
- Epidemiologist: the rationale for this is quite obvious: introducing restrictions on limiting social contacts, mobility and DDM rules
- In 2020, 934 HIV infections were detected, compared to 2019 in 1. Experts suspect numbers may be underestimated
- More current information can be found on the Onet homepage.
The decline in the incidence of measles, which in 2020 was 0,8 per 100 thousand. people, and a year earlier, 3,91 is impressive, especially since in 2019 we recorded a record number of cases of this disease in Poland. As measles is infected by airborne droplets, protection against SARS-CoV-2 has been effective in the case of the measles virus. The contact restrictions caused by the pandemic also resulted in a more than two-fold decrease in the incidence of: chickenpox – from 471 in 2019 to 186 in 2020 (per 100 thousand people), rubella from 0,74 to 0,25, mumps from 3,49 to 1,50, whooping cough from 4 to 24.
Decrease in the incidence of infectious diseases – a “side effect” of COVID-19
— The decrease in the incidence of infectious diseases observed in 2020 was spectacular. It concerned all infectious diseases subject to reporting to epidemiological supervision – admits prof. Iwona Paradowska-Stankiewicz, national consultant in the field of epidemiology. – The justification for this situation is quite obvious – introducing restrictions on limiting social contacts, mobility and the principles of DDM: distance-disinfection-mask, which were introduced in connection with the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
– And why exactly did that matter in the case of infectious diseases? Because the specificity of these diseases is, among others the possibility of transferring the microorganism from the so-called the source of infection, i.e. another infected organism or contaminated objects to a sensitive organism, via specific transmission routes – explains the specialist.
Epidemiological data also show that compared to 2019, last year there were half the number of diseases caused by streptococci and meningococci and three times less diseases caused by pneumococci.
Infectious diseases in 2020. Less food poisoning
The number of salmonella poisonings decreased almost twice, and the number of other bacterial food poisonings almost five times. A slightly smaller decrease was observed in bacterial intestinal infections, including those caused by E. coli. In the case of rotavirus infection, the decrease was even six-fold.
- Rotaviruses in children and adults – symptoms, treatment, prevention, vaccination
– The main routes of spreading infectious diseases include not only the droplet, air and air-droplet paths, which most often transport microorganisms that cause respiratory tract infections. They are also spread through contact, i.e. through direct (vertical and sexual) or indirect contact, e.g. through blood, objects, surfaces, hands, and finally through the alimentary tract, such as salmonella. Thus during the lockdown period, the basic mechanisms contributing to the spread of infection were limited, which was reflected in a smaller number of infected people – says prof. prof. Iwona Paradowska-Stankiewicz.
Infectious diseases in 2020: venereal diseases, HIV, Lyme disease
Limited access to healthcare has contributed to the decline in Clostridium difficile, which accounts for the highest proportion of nosocomial infections. Last year, 10 thousand. 047 cases, and in 2019 there were about a thousand more.
The incidence of syphilis decreased significantly from 4,21 (2019) per 100 thousand. inhabitants up to 1,87 (2020) and gonorrhea 1,37 to 0,65. Newly detected HIV infections in 2020 were – 934, and in 2019 – 1. However, specialists suspect that the numbers may be underestimated. During the lockdown, the consultation and diagnostic points where anonymous HIV tests are performed were closed. And after opening them, the number of applicants dropped.
- HIV virus – everything you need to know about it. How is it different from AIDS? [WE EXPLAIN]
There were also fewer tick-borne diseases. The incidence of Lyme disease decreased from 53,74 in 2019 to 32,63 in 2020 (per 100 people), and tick-borne encephalitis from 0,05 to 0,03.
Due to the restriction of tourist traffic, 2020 cases of dengue were reported in Poland in 11, while in 2019 there were 55. There were malaria last year – eight cases, and in 2019 – four.
You may be interested in:
- Washing your hands can protect against viruses. How to do it effectively?
- What medications are contraindications for COVID-19 vaccination?
- Can I get vaccinated against COVID-19 after the flu vaccine?
The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.Now you can use e-consultation also free of charge under the National Health Fund.