Children’s Health Threatened by “Tripledemic”

Health experts warn about a possible “tripledemic” as the flu season approaches, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) cases increase and COVID-19 infections continue. Some experts warn that this scenario might overwhelm hospital emergency departments.  

“COVID-19 is still the most prevalent virus in the community, but it is on a downward trajectory, while RSV and flu are increasing,” said Scott Roberts, Infectious Diseases Specialist, Yale Medicine.

In North America, for example, influenza activity is moderate. As of Nov. 18, 2022, Mexico has experienced a moderately intense influenza season, while the US reported an increase in cases. Although SARS-CoV-2 cases in Mexico have increased by 100 percent in comparison to the last two weeks and deaths have increased by 75 percent, COVID-19 activity remains low. Nonetheless, RSV activity continues to increase. In Mexico, for example, the RSV season started eight weeks before it was expected. 

“The high activity of RSV is overloading healthcare systems in Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay and the US, and some pediatric hospitals are reaching their maximum capacity as a result of this increase," said Carissa Etienne, Director, PAHO.

The increase in cases of these three diseases can be attributed to the immunity gap linked to the COVID-19 lockdown. During lockdowns, the immune systems of many individuals were not exposed to microorganisms that cause diseases and, consequently, they were not prepared to face them.  Children are at a higher risk of getting sick. “When women are pregnant, they pass antibodies to the fetus. However, if mothers were not exposed to diseases, they cannot pass antibodies and children do not develop an immune response. Currently, hospitals are witnessing an increase of hospitalized children,” said Marcos Espinal, Interim Assistant Director, PAHO.

To protect them, Mexico’s Ministry of Health is ramping up vaccination efforts, expecting to have 70 percent of the population vaccinated against flu by December 2022. By March 2023, the ministry expects that most of Mexico will be covered. Meanwhile, over 70 percent of Mexico’s population has received a COVID-19 vaccine, but SARS-CoV-2 is not the only disease from which the population must be protected. “As we continue to expand COVID-19 vaccine coverage, let us not forget the other diseases, for which effective protection exists. Vaccine coverage against polio, measles, diphtheria and other childhood diseases has dropped in many countries in the region as the pandemic response overwhelmed health systems,” said Etienne during the Vaccination Week in the Americas 2022.