Cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome increase in all states

New InfoGripe Bulletin, released by Fiocruz (Fundação Oswaldo Cruz) this Wednesday (3), shows an increase in cases of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) throughout Brazil. The increase is due to the higher incidence of influenza A, rhinovirus and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus).

The survey indicates that all federative units have reached risk or high-risk alert levels, in addition to projected growth in cases in the coming weeks. Since the beginning of 2026, 77,153 cases of SARS have been reported, 37,153 (48.2%) with a positive laboratory result for a respiratory virus, 27,841 (36.1%) negative and around 6,934 (9%) awaiting laboratory results.

For SARS cases linked to influenza, the study shows that children under two years of age are the main affected group, but mortality is higher among the population over 65 years of age. In the last four weeks, of the total number of deaths, 49% were due to influenza A and 8.2% to influenza B. In cases linked to other diseases, the proportion was 16.6% from RSV, 16.9% from rhinovirus and 9% from Sars-CoV-2 (Covid-19).

Experts warn that vaccination is the main means of preventing the syndrome
Vaccination is highlighted by experts as the main prophylaxis for diseases caused by RSV. They emphasize that it is important that, especially at-risk groups, such as the elderly, young children and people with comorbidities, be a priority and pay attention to updating vaccine doses for diseases such as Influenza and Covid-19.

"The main form of prevention against serious cases and deaths from the main respiratory viruses that cause SARS, such as RSV, influenza and Covid-19, is vaccination. Therefore, it is essential that the population at highest risk receives vaccines", argues researcher Tatiana Portella, from the InfoGripe Bulletin and the Fiocruz Scientific Computing Program.

"The RSV vaccine is administered to pregnant women so that they produce and transmit antibodies to the baby, guaranteeing protection against the virus in their first six months of life", he adds.

Influenza A: what it is, symptoms and risks

Source: CNN