Rise in respiratory diseases triggers epidemiological alert in Paraguay

On Thursday, the Paraguayan Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare issued an epidemiological alert in response to a surge in Influenza Type Illnesses (ETI) cases and related hospitalizations.

The alert is aimed at notifying healthcare teams and professionals nationwide to ramp up surveillance, preventive measures, and control actions, as well as to reinforce healthcare and clinical management strategies.

The health department of Paraguay is also urging citizens to get vaccinated against prevalent winter diseases to lower the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and mortality.

The available vaccines include a bivalent vaccine against COVID-19, recommended for individuals aged six and above; a quadrivalent vaccine against influenza for infants aged six months and older; and a vaccine against pneumococcus targeted at the elderly.

The latest epidemiological report revealed a rise in consultations and hospitalizations due to respiratory viruses such as syncytial, influenza subtype A H1N1, influenza type B, and SARS-CoV-2, especially among children under two years and individuals over 60, as recorded since the 14th epidemiological week of this year.

However, the Health Ministry’s report noted that the seasonal increase in flu cases, infant bronchiolitis, and pneumonia complications in adults is expected based on historical data.

The timeline typically extends from late May to late August, marking the peak season for acute respiratory infections induced by the respiratory syncytial virus.

The health institution encourages individuals with respiratory symptoms to self-isolate at home, refrain from work, educational activities, or public places until their symptoms resolve.

Further recommendations include wearing face masks in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas during periods of high respiratory virus transmission and seeking timely medical advice.

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