Regional Update, Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses. Epidemiological Week 7 (27 February 2026)

Regional Situation: Influenza activity in the Americas continued to stabilize this week compared to the previous epidemiological week (EW), following a sustained downward trend, with a regional positivity of 16.5%. Influenza A(H3N2) predominated among subtyped influenza A samples in most regions, except in the Central American subregion where A(H1N1)pdm09 predomindated (79%) and the Andean subregion, where A(H3N2) cocirculated with A(H1N1)pdm09. RSV circulation continued its upward trend, reaching a positivity of 2.1%, while the decreasing trend of SARS-CoV-2 slowed, reaching a positivity of 5.1%. In North America, influenza positivity continued to decline, reaching 7.2%. RSV activity increased over the past four EWs (7.7%), while SARS-CoV-2 positivity remained stable at 4.9%. In the Caribbean, influenza circulation remained elevated, with a positivity rate of around 30.5% over the past three EWs. RSV activity decreased compared to the previous EW (3.3%), and SARS-CoV-2 circulation remained stable at intraseasonal levels (<1%). In Central America, influenza activity continued to decline, reaching a positivity of 16.8%. SARS-CoV-2 remained at low and stable levels (<1%), and RSV circulation remained stable (4.8%). In the Andean subregion, influenza activity remained stable, with a positivity of 12.2%. RSV circulation increased this EW (4.3%), and SARS-CoV2 circulation decreased compared to the previous EW (1.9%). In Brazil and the Southern Cone, influenza activity has continued to decline since mid-December, with a positivity of 3%. RSV circulation remains at interseasonal levels (<1%), while SARS-CoV-2 activity decreased compared to the previous EW (7.7%). Circulation of other respiratory viruses (ORV) increased to 1.7% regionally, with rhinovirus, coronaviruses and metapneumovirus being the most frequently detected.