Brazil health alerts: rising respiratory viruses in Corumbá and O‑negative blood shortage in Barra do Garças

The Municipal Health Secretariat of Corumbá issued an epidemiological bulletin warning of a sharp increase in respiratory viruses during epidemiological week 27. Out of 369 sentinel samples, 227 tested positive (61.5% positivity), with rhinovirus leading (86 cases) followed by Influenza A (H3) (70 cases). The highest case concentration was among children aged 0‑4, prompting reinforced recommendations on hygiene, ventilation, and up‑to‑date vaccination against influenza, COVID‑19 and other indicated vaccines.

Meanwhile, the regional blood centre in Barra do Garças announced that its stock of O‑negative blood bags had been completely depleted, triggering an urgent appeal for voluntary donors. O‑negative blood is universal for emergency transfusions, making the shortage critical for trauma, surgery, obstetric emergencies and oncology patients. The centre provided donation details, including contact numbers, operating hours and eligibility criteria, urging the community to restore supplies.