#19,015
While it is not exactly `news' that the Northern Hemisphere is being battered by a particularly intense H3N2 flu season (see When Seasonal Flu Exceeds Expectations), on Friday PAHO released an updated Epidemiological Alert that also warns of a slow rise in RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) activity.
This double-viral whammy has the potential to put even more pressure on already stressed healthcare delivery systems. As we saw yesterday, we've already seen Sporadic Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) Shortages Reported In U.S. & Canada.
Yesterday PAHO published a press release (excerpts below) summarizing the Alert.
Washington, D.C., January 10, 2026 (PAHO) – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has urged countries across the Americas to remain vigilant and strengthen health system preparedness in response to the simultaneous circulation of seasonal influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This situation could place additional pressure on hospitals and clinics for the remainder of the winter season in the Northern Hemisphere.
The epidemiological alert updates an advisory released on December 4, 2025, which warned of the possibility of an earlier or more intense respiratory season than usual.
(SNIP)
"The simultaneous circulation of influenza and RSV is a significant challenge that requires us to prioritize vaccination—which protects against severe cases that may require hospitalization—and maintain close surveillance, enabling timely action to prevent larger outbreaks and avoid hospital overcrowding," said Dr. Marc Rondy, PAHO Regional Adviser in Epidemiology of Epidemic- and Pandemic-Prone Diseases.
PAHO emphasizes that interim studies show current influenza vaccines are effective at preventing hospitalizations (30–40% effectiveness in adults and 75% in children), and calls on countries to achieve high vaccination coverage, especially among priority groups such as children, pregnant people, older adults, and those with chronic conditions.
In light of this situation, PAHO recommends that countries in the region:PAHO reminds the public that vaccination against influenza, frequent handwashing, covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing, wearing masks indoors if symptomatic, staying home when experiencing fever or respiratory symptoms, and seeking prompt medical care for severe symptoms are simple and effective ways to protect themselves and their families, especially young children and older adults
- Strengthen integrated surveillance of influenza, RSV, SARS-CoV-2, and other respiratory viruses, reporting weekly data to FluNET and FluID to support regional and global monitoring.
- Prepare and adjust health service response plans to address possible simultaneous increases in influenza and RSV cases and hospitalizations.
- Prioritize influenza and COVID-19 vaccination for at-risk groups, including older adults, young children, pregnant people, individuals with chronic conditions, and healthcare workers.
- Implement RSV prevention strategies, including maternal vaccination and long-acting monoclonal antibodies for newborns and infants, in line with PAHO/WHO recommendations.
- Strengthen risk communication, promoting key preventive practices.
The full 22-page Epidemiological Alert provides nation-specific data for the Americas, and recommended guidance for public health authorities, with sections on Surveillance, Clinical management and prophylaxis, Vaccination, and Risk Communications.
While PAHO reports that Respiratory Syncytial virus levels remain below last year's, the combined impact of a `drifted' H3N2 virus - which has impacted young children and the elderly the hardest - and an expected further rise in RSV (which affects the same cohorts), is a concern.
PAHO's advice is pretty straightforward; those at high risk should get vaccinated, everyone should practice good `flu hygiene' (wash hands, wear masks, stay home if sick, etc.), and those who are ill should immediately seek medical treatment in case of respiratory distress.
But getting people to follow it remains a challenge.
