Paraguay hospital on alert as severe influenza cases surge

The Acosta Ñu Children's Hospital in Paraguay is facing an alarming rise in severe respiratory illnesses, with influenza cases driving a surge in hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions. Dr. Héctor Castro, the hospital's director, reported that approximately 50% of current consultations are for influenza, straining the facility's resources.

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The common denominator of the majority of patients hospitalized for severe respiratory conditions is that they do not have the influenza vaccine.

Castro stressed the critical importance of vaccination, noting that the vast majority of children requiring intensive care for respiratory issues were unvaccinated. He explained that the vaccine's primary goal is to prevent severe disease, hospitalization, and fatalities, even if it doesn't entirely prevent infection.

The hospital is urging vulnerable populations, including young children, the elderly, and individuals with underlying health conditions, to get vaccinated. While the ideal time for vaccination is before the peak season, which typically starts in April, Castro emphasized that it is still beneficial to get immunized as the influenza season can extend through September and October.

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We insist on vaccination because we observe that the majority of those requiring hospitalization were not vaccinated.

Beyond vaccination, the hospital also advises complementary preventive measures such as frequent hand washing, ensuring good ventilation, resting when symptomatic, and wearing masks in crowded indoor spaces. These combined efforts aim to mitigate the impact of the ongoing influenza outbreak.

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The main objective of the vaccine is to avoid severe complications of the disease, hospitalizations, and deaths.