pneumonia Cases Surge in Peru,Reaching Post-Pandemic Highs
Lima,peru – Pneumonia cases and hospitalizations in Peru have reached their highest levels as the COVID-19 pandemic,according to data from โคthe Ministry of Healthโข (MINSA) analyzed by ECDATA. The surge is impactingโ regions across the country, with the Amazon regionโฃ experiencing the highestโฃ contagion rates in over 60 years, followed by areas in the Sierraโ Sur and Norte, including Apurรญmac, Cajamarca,โค Huancavelica, and Cusco.
ECDATA’s analysis reveals that infection rates among vulnerable populations in 2024 are exceeding levels seen during previous years of โขthe pandemic. On average, pneumonia is affecting 87 โคout of 10,000 children and 65 out of 10,000 individuals over 60 years old, according to MINSA data.
The increaseโ is attributed to a combinationโ of factors, including decreased adherence to respiratory protection measures and lower vaccination coverage, notablyโข among older children and adults, explained Virginia Garaycochea, vice-dean of the Medical College of Peru (CMP).
“Immunization coverage in vulnerable groups, in the โ5-year group are low and we know that within the vaccines are โคthose of the pneumococcus and those of viralโ influenza,” Garaycochea stated.”This preventive and promotional partโ is failing and in older adults to, they have to vaccinate โคagainst influenza every year.”
She also noted that โขmisinformation surrounding vaccinations is โขcontributing to lower coverage rates, especially in remote areas like Datem del Maraรฑon (loreto). “The largest respiratory infections in remote areasโฆare dueโค to the fact that vaccination coverage is lower than the average and there are fears of the population of vaccinating children for apparent side effects,” Garaycochea said.
The situation is occurring under the current governance of President Dina Boluarte and is being monitored by health authorities including Essalud, Peru’s social health insurance system. The rise in pneumonia cases raises โconcerns about โฃthe ongoing impact ofโข respiratory illnesses in the post-pandemic era.
