Washington,D.C.,January 10,2026 – A double whammy of respiratory viruses is threatening to overwhelm hospitals this winter. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is urging countries throughout the Americas to brace for simultaneous surges of seasonal influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), possibly stretching healthcare resources to their limits.
Flu and RSV: A One-Two Punch for Winter Healthcare
A concerning combination of rising flu cases and increasing RSV infections is raising alarms among health officials across the Americas.
- Influenza activity has been climbing globally as October 2025,with the A(H3N2) strain currently dominant.
- RSV circulation is also on the rise, adding to the potential strain on healthcare systems.
- Current influenza vaccines are estimated to be 30-40% effective in adults and 75% effective in children at preventing hospitalization.
- PAHO recommends strengthening surveillance, vaccination efforts, and risk interaction to mitigate the impact of thes viruses.
What’s the biggest worry right now with flu and RSV? the simultaneous spread of both viruses poses a important challenge,potentially leading to increased hospitalizations and overcrowding,especially among vulnerable populations like young children and older adults.
The alert from PAHO builds on a previous advisory issued on December 4, 2025.
The increasing circulation of RSV adds another layer of complexity. Dr. Marc Rondy,PAHO Regional Adviser in Epidemiology of Epidemic- and Pandemic-Prone Diseases,emphasized the need for a proactive approach. “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,” he stated.
Recommendations for National health Systems
PAHO is urging countries in the region to take several key steps. These include strengthening integrated surveillance of influenza, RSV, SARS-CoV-2, and other respiratory viruses, with weekly data reporting to FluNET and FluID to support regional and global monitoring efforts. Health service response plans should be prepared and adjusted to address potential simultaneous increases in cases and hospitalizations. Prioritizing influenza and COVID-19 vaccination for at-risk groups-older adults, young children, pregnant individuals, those with chronic conditions, and healthcare workers-is also crucial.
Furthermore, PAHO recommends implementing RSV prevention strategies, including maternal vaccination and the use of long-acting monoclonal antibodies for newborns and infants, in accordance with PAHO/WHO guidelines. Strengthening risk communication to promote key preventive practices is also essential.
PAHO reminds the public that simple measures like influenza vaccination, frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, wearing masks indoors when symptomatic, staying home when experiencing fever or respiratory symptoms, and seeking prompt medical care for severe symptoms can significantly protect individuals and families, particularly young children and older adults.
The organization stresses that current influenza vaccines demonstrate effectiveness in preventing hospitalizations-ranging from 30-40% in adults to 75% in children-underscoring the importance of achieving high vaccination coverage, especially among priority groups.
