Argentina is facing its most severe influenza season in recent history. Health authorities reported 790,523 cases of flu during the first 30 weeks of 2026, surpassing the 788,328 cases recorded in the same period of 2025 and the 779,592 from 2024. This alarming surge has been driven by a highly transmissible variant known as the super flu.
The culprit is the subclade K of the influenza A (H3N2) virus. According to a recent report from the Instituto Malbrán, Argentina's national reference laboratory, 96% of viral samples sequenced this year belong to this strain. It originated in the Northern Hemisphere in mid-2025 and spread globally, reaching Argentina with unprecedented force.
| Season (first 30 weeks) | Reported cases |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 790,523 |
| 2025 | 788,328 |
| 2024 | 779,592 |
Children Are the Most Vulnerable
The age distribution is alarming: children under 10 account for 48% of all infections, and among them, infants under 2 years old represent 35%. The next most affected groups are children aged 10 to 19 (18%) and adults over 60 (11%).
Dr. Eduardo López, head of the Department of Medicine at the Ricardo Gutiérrez Children's Hospital in Buenos Aires, explained to local media that the virus arrived earlier than expected and triggered an outbreak: "This concentration of cases in a very young pediatric population clearly shows that the virus advanced this year and caused an epidemic". He added that influenza has even displaced the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as the leading cause of respiratory infections in children.
Vaccination: A Success with a Gap
Argentina started its flu vaccination campaign earlier than usual, which helped protect a large portion of the population before the peak. Dr. López praised this effort but highlighted a critical gap: the mandatory childhood vaccination covers only children up to 24 months, while many neighboring countries extend it to ages 6 or 8.
Several scientific societies have called on the government to extend mandatory flu vaccination to children up to 7 years old. Kids are often the primary spreaders within families and communities, noted the infectologist.
Additionally, the Ministry of Health recently reported a rise in influenza B (Victoria lineage) cases, though the H3N2 strain remains largely predominant across all age groups.
How to Recognize and Prevent the Super Flu
Flu symptoms include high fever, dry cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces. Key prevention steps:
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water
- Ventilate indoor spaces
- Avoid close contact if you feel unwell
- Wear a mask if you have respiratory symptoms
Antibiotics are only effective if a bacterial infection develops. Doctors advise getting vaccinated even after the peak—full protection kicks in about 10 days after the shot.
Sources: El Día and Radio Mitre.