Brazil sees overall drop in SRAG cases as nine capitals, including Rio Branco, report rises

The Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz) reported that Brazil’s cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SRAG) are trending downward, with a cumulative 109,347 notifications in 2026 and 51.7% confirmed positive for respiratory viruses. The most frequent pathogens in recent weeks were respiratory syncytial virus (55.9%), rhinovirus (23.3%), Influenza A (12.7%), Influenza B (8.4%) and SARS‑CoV‑2 (2.2%). Influenza B activity is increasing in several Central‑South states, while mortality remains concentrated among older adults, with Influenza A the leading cause of death.

Despite the national decline, nine capitals are classified as alert, risk or high‑risk due to rising SRAG activity: Belo Horizonte, Boa Vista, Curitiba, Florianópolis, Goiânia, Manaus, Palmas, Porto Alegre and Rio Branco. Rio Branco’s surge is driven mainly by children and adolescents aged 2‑14 and also affects the elderly. Fiocruz advises priority groups – seniors, young children, pregnant women and those with comorbidities – to stay up‑to‑date with influenza vaccination and to use masks and social distancing when symptomatic.