Peru confronts rising winter health risks amid political tension

Winter has begun in Peru, bringing unusually low temperatures to high‑altitude regions. In Junín province, temperatures fell to -12.1 °C, prompting health officials to warn of increased respiratory illness. During week 23, acute respiratory infection cases among children under five rose 27 % to 1,631, and pneumonia cases increased in both children and seniors, with one death reported among adults over 60.

At the same time, political commentators noted that the harsh climate recalls the severe El Niño event of 1997‑98, which caused economic losses of about $3.5 billion. They warn that current weather conditions may bolster authoritarian tendencies under President Keiko Fujimori, drawing parallels with past regimes. Health authorities are intensifying influenza and pneumococcal vaccination campaigns, especially for vulnerable populations.