[CLSTR]
< Back to situation

[REVISION HISTORY]

Respiratory infection surges in Latin America

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-27 22:42 UTC → 2026-10-28 16:56 UTC · added removed

Multiple countries in Latin America are experiencing surges in acute respiratory infections, leading to increased hospitalizations and healthcare strain. In Paraguay, health authorities reported over 5,400 consultations for influenza-like illnesses and 1,106 hospitalizations for severe acute respiratory infections over a four-week period. Rhinovirus has been identified as the predominant virus among hospitalized patients, followed by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and metapneumovirus. Approximately 16% of hospitalized patients in Paraguay required intensive care, with the most affected groups being adults aged 60 and older (27%) and children under two years old (24%). The Ministry of Health confirmed 22 deaths during this period, contributing to a yearly total of 257 deaths associated with respiratory viruses. In Argentina, the Ministry of Health reported that influenza-like illness (ILI) cases have surpassed one million for 2026, with an incidence rate of 2,385.8 per 100,000 inhabitants. While RSV remains the predominant virus among hospitalized patients under surveillance, recent data indicates a decline in the circulation of respiratory viruses and a weekly reduction in pneumonia cases. In Costa Rica and Colombia, the surge is causing hospital saturation. As of late October 2026, the National Children’s Hospital in Costa Rica reported its intensive care unit reached 100% capacity, with 18 minors in critical condition requiring mechanical ventilation. Health authorities in Costa Rica have issued alerts, urging parents not to send children with symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or diarrhea to school to prevent further spread. In Colombia, experts have identified a second respiratory peak in 2026, coinciding with the rainy season and lower temperatures. The National Institute of Health reported that Colombia has recorded over 2.2 million medical consultations for acute respiratory infections this year. Medical professionals across the region continue to urge vaccination, improved hygiene, better ventilation in enclosed spaces, and the use of masks in crowded settings to mitigate transmission.

Versions

  1. 2026-10-28 16:56 UTC Respiratory infection surges in Latin America
  2. 2026-10-27 22:42 UTC Respiratory infection surges in Latin America
  3. 2026-10-25 22:03 UTC Respiratory infection surges in Latin America

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.