Respiratory viruses cause high hospitalizations in Paraguay and Argentina

Health authorities in Paraguay and Argentina are monitoring various respiratory viruses as they impact regional hospitalizations and infection rates.

In Paraguay, rhinovirus has emerged as the leading cause of hospitalization for severe acute respiratory infections, followed by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and metapneumovirus. During epidemiological weeks 38 to 41, sentinel centers recorded 5,490 consultations for influenza-like illnesses and 1,106 hospitalizations. Approximately 16% of hospitalized patients required intensive care. The most affected groups include adults aged 60 and older (27%) and children under two years old (24%). So far in 2026, Paraguay has recorded 257 deaths related to respiratory viruses.

In Argentina, the Ministry of Health reported that influenza-like illness (ILI) cases have surpassed one million for the year 2026, with an incidence rate of 2,385.8 per 100,000 inhabitants. Despite the high cumulative total, recent data indicates a decline in the circulation of respiratory viruses and a weekly reduction in pneumonia cases. RSV remains the predominant virus among hospitalized patients under surveillance.