Carbon monoxide poisoning spikes in Argentina as delayed neurological risks are highlighted

Argentina’s national epidemiological bulletin reported 781 cases of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning up to epidemiological week 25 of 2026, resulting in 12 deaths. The total remained stable at 57‑83 cases per four‑week period, but compared with the same period in 2025, cases rose by 7.4%, driven mainly by increases in Buenos Aires Province (from 173 to 251 cases) and Mendoza (from 67 to 112 cases). The Central region accounted for 46% of all cases, followed by the South (25%) and Cuyo (19%).

A medical article warns that 10‑30% of CO‑poisoned patients may develop a delayed neurological syndrome weeks after exposure, showing cognitive decline, gait disturbances or personality changes. The authors note that normal pulse‑oximetry does not rule out serious CO poisoning and recommend the use of CO‑specific oximeters or blood gas analysis in health centres. The paper also links recent large wildfires in Spain to a surge in smoke‑inhalation injuries and CO exposure, underscoring broader public‑health concerns.