Argentina sees rise in infant RSV hospitalizations as flu cases decline

The latest National Epidemiological Bulletin for week 28 shows a continued drop in influenza cases across Argentina, while the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) has become the leading cause of hospital admissions for bronchiolitis in babies and young children. In the past four weeks, 151 RSV cases were confirmed compared with 122 influenza cases; eight patients were co‑infected with flu and RSV and two with RSV and SARS‑CoV‑2. SARS‑CoV‑2 circulation remains low with no new positive outpatients detected.

Genomic surveillance by ANLIS‑Malbrán confirms that influenza A(H3N2) clade J.2.4.1 (variant K) accounts for 96% of the virus samples, with 353 confirmed infections this year. A separate briefing from the Ministry of Health in Tucumán province noted that dengue and chikungunya cases have fallen to zero, influenza A activity is decreasing, and RSV together with rhinoviruses now dominate respiratory virus circulation. The bronchiolitis curve shows a modest rise but stays within expected seasonal limits.

Health officials urge continued preventive measures for infants, such as avoiding close contact with symptomatic individuals and not kissing babies on the face or hands.