World News: Brazil's Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Rises in 16 States, Driven by Influenza A and RSV, as Fiocruz Urges Pregnant Women to Get Vaccinated. Lessons for Antenatal Clinics

Last updated: 9 Nov 2026  |  8 Views  | 

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World News: Brazil's Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Rises in 16 States, Driven by Influenza A and RSV, as Fiocruz Urges Pregnant Women to Get Vaccinated. Lessons for Antenatal Clinics

From Brazil: in early May 2026 Fiocruz reported severe acute respiratory syndrome (SRAG) rising in 16 states, with influenza A and RSV driving hospitalisations, and urged pregnant women to get vaccinated to protect their babies. Thai antenatal clinics and maternity hospitals should prepare.

The True Story: 16 States with Rising Severe Cases

CNN Brasil reported on 4 May 2026, citing Fiocruz's InfoGripe bulletin, that 16 Brazilian states saw rising severe acute respiratory syndrome (SRAG) over the past six weeks, including Minas Gerais, Paraná, Pernambuco and the Federal District, with influenza A and RSV leading hospitalisations.

Tatiana Portella, an InfoGripe researcher, said vaccination is the main protection against severe illness and advised that pregnant women from 28 weeks should receive the RSV vaccine to protect newborns, while priority groups should get flu vaccines during the campaign.

The Key Lesson: Protecting Pregnant Women Means Protecting Two Lives

Thai antenatal clinics and maternity hospitals see pregnant women, new mothers and babies in one building. Points to watch are:

  • Antenatal waiting rooms shared with general patients
  • Ultrasound rooms used all day
  • Relatives visiting new mothers in the evening
  • Nurseries with many babies in one room
  • Pregnant women not yet vaccinated against flu

How Flu Spreads

According to the World Health Organization, seasonal influenza spreads easily where people gather, such as schools and nursing homes. It spreads through droplets when people cough or sneeze, and through hands that touch contaminated surfaces and then the eyes, nose or mouth. Most people recover within a week, but young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with chronic illness are at risk of severe disease. Influenza is an enveloped virus, which suitable disinfectants can inactivate.

Risk Register for Antenatal Clinics and Maternity Hospitals

Scoring: high likelihood × high impact = critical / medium × high = high / low × high = medium
  1. Pregnant women wait with feverish patients: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: separate antenatal waiting rooms. Owner: antenatal head nurse
  2. Sick relatives visit mothers and babies: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: screen and limit visitors. Owner: postnatal ward head
  3. Ultrasound beds not wiped: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: wipe bed and probe per manual after every patient. Owner: assistant
  4. Pregnant women unvaccinated: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: give vaccine advice at every visit. Owner: obstetrician
  5. Mothers' rooms not disinfected after discharge: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: fog and ozone-treat after discharge. Owner: housekeeping

Ways to Reduce Flu Risk in Antenatal Clinics

  1. Separate waiting rooms for pregnant women
  2. Advise on vaccines at every visit
  3. Screen visitors to mothers and babies
  4. Limit visitors in outbreaks
  5. Wipe ultrasound beds after every patient
  6. Wash hands before touching babies
  7. Fog and ozone-treat mothers' rooms after discharge

How ULV Disinfection Fogging Helps

The World Health Disinfection disinfection service uses ULV fogging machines that turn the disinfectant into a fine mist. It settles across the whole area, including corners, curtains, upholstery and surfaces that hand wiping cannot reach.

  • Whole-area coverage without relying on wiping spot by spot
  • Quick return to use, typically about 30 minutes after fogging
  • Uses Chemgene HLD4H, which meets EN 14476 for virucidal activity according to the product page
  • The team wears full protective equipment, so owners and staff do not take the risk themselves
  • Report and photos after the job for customers, management or authorities
  • Tax invoice with 3% withholding tax for companies and agencies

Ozone Treatment for Closed Rooms and Stuffy Spaces

The World Health Disinfection ozone treatment service uses machines that generate ozone gas from oxygen in the air. It suits closed rooms such as meeting rooms, bedrooms, classrooms, sick bays and vans, helping reduce germs in the air and on surfaces and removing stale odours. Ozone breaks back down into oxygen after treatment, leaving no residue.

  • Works alongside disinfection fogging: spray or wipe surfaces first, then use ozone for the air and corners of closed rooms
  • No people or pets in the room during treatment: the team seals the room and runs a timer
  • Ventilate after treatment before normal use resumes
  • Machines tested by Intertek, according to WHD's service page
  • Ideal after someone has been ill, such as recovered patients' rooms, shared bedrooms and shuttle vans

Before and After

Before: A woman eight months pregnant waited beside a coughing patient, a relative with a cold held the newborn, and the mother's room took a new patient right after discharge.
After: The clinic separates waiting rooms, advises on vaccines every visit, screens visitors, and uses disinfection fogging plus ozone treatment of mothers' rooms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: In how many Brazilian states did SRAG rise? A: 16 over the past six weeks, per the 4 May 2026 InfoGripe report.

Q: What did Fiocruz advise pregnant women? A: Get the RSV vaccine from 28 weeks to protect newborns; priority groups should get flu vaccines.

Q: Does the fogging disinfectant work on flu? A: The team uses Chemgene HLD4H, which meets EN 14476 for virucidal activity according to the product page, and influenza is an enveloped virus that suitable disinfectants can inactivate. Fogging does not replace vaccination or handwashing.

Q: Can I enter the room right after ozone treatment? A: No one should be in the room during treatment. Ventilate afterwards before normal use; the team will advise the right time for the room size.

Q: Can hospitals get a tax invoice? A: Yes. Tax invoices are issued and 3% withholding tax is supported. Call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Prevent Flu with Disinfection Fogging and Ozone Treatment

The real news from Brazil shows protecting mothers protects babies. Antenatal clinics that prevent thoroughly earn families' trust. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for waiting rooms, exam rooms and postnatal wards, and the ozone treatment service for mothers' rooms and nurseries after discharge. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Keywords: Brazil flu, SRAG, RSV, pregnant women, antenatal clinic, clinic disinfection, maternity room ozone treatment

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