New Delhi, 8 April (IANS). A team of scientists in Britain has found that the prolonged restrictions during the Kovid-19 epidemic created a situation of ‘Immunity Debt’ of the people, which is now seeing changes in the way the flu-spreading way to spread flu.
When people do not come in contact with diseases for a long time, their body’s immune system (strength to fight against diseases) becomes weak. This is called ‘Immunity Debt’. This means that now people become more sensitive to common infections.
At the time of Kovid epidemic, countries around the world adopted strict precautions such as lockdown, social dispensing, wearing masks and prohibition on travel. These measures helped to stop Kovid, but also saw a very sharp decline in cases of flu and other respiratory diseases.
But now after Kovid, there has been a sudden rapid increase in flu cases worldwide.
Researchers say that ‘immunity debate’ can cause major outbreaks in the coming years, as people have now reduced the immunity and have become more sensitive to being infected with other viruses.
Professor Daniel Priato-Alhambra, Oxford University, said, “Our study has made it clear that the immune system of people has weakened due to the absence of flu in the last few years, and now the infection is spreading very fast. It is a matter of relief that strategies exist to reduce its effect and promote the vaccination of the flu.”
This study has been published in a journal called Advanced Science. It analyzed data related to 116 countries from 2012 to 2024.
It was learned that flu cases had declined by an average of 46 percent during Kovid’s sanctions. But as soon as the restrictions were reduced in 2022, flu cases increased by an average of 132% in the same winter season.
Researchers also stated that in countries where strict restrictions were imposed during Kovid, there was a higher jump in flu cases. Therefore, scientists have urged health departments that whenever there is an epidemic in the future, plans should be made keeping in mind the danger of ‘Immity Debt’.
-IANS
AS/
