By Ashford Peters
Amid rapidly-increasing spread of the Influenza A (H3 subtype/H3N2) in the Americas, Minister of Health Daniel Cummings has assured Vincentians that measures are in place to contain the spread, reducing potential adverse impacts — which can overwhelm the limited health resources in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Cummings told reporters in Kingstown on Friday that “the significant increase in influenza” was affecting the whole Caribbean to the extent that “the carnival in Trinidad and Tobago is in some way being affected by that rapid increase…
“But we here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), the CMO (chief medical officer) and her team made a recommendation, which was accepted by the Cabinet, to take on some additional physicians to be able to deal with the increasing numbers of influenza cases,” said Cummings of this country’s attempts to stem the spread of the influenza-like illness.
“There’s a particular strain reportedly came in and but that is now under fairly good control. So, the ministry is aware of it, and the ministry did, in fact, take measures to be in a position to address it,” he said in response to a reporter’s question.
In a recent media release, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said analysis of selected countries — the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Spain — indicated an early and rapid start to the influenza season in the Northern Hemisphere, with increased outpatient visits — particularly among children — and rising hospitalisations, especially among older adults.
The hemispheric organisation said that while these patterns align with expected seasonal dynamics and overall severity were comparable to previous seasons, with no excess mortality observed to date, some countries were experiencing activity levels — measured by influenza detection and outpatient visits for influenza-like illness — that exceed those of recent seasons.
SVG has been experiencing an increase in influenza-like illness (ILI) since late 2025, driven by the circulation of a new influenza strain identified by health authorities.
And the public was warned to be vigilant, especially during the peak flu season, which typically runs from November to February.
Laboratory testing confirmed that Influenza A (H3 sub-type/H3N2) is the dominant strain circulating in the country.
As of February 2025, reports indicated that cases of gastroenteritis, fever, and respiratory infections were above normal thresholds.
By mid-December 2025, there were 77 reported cases of Influenza A (H3N2) specifically, contributing to higher influenza numbers for the year.
The rise in illnesses is consistent with trends seen in other parts of the Caribbean and the Americas. Increases are usually seen during festive seasons such as Christmas and Carnival.
The Ministry of Health has advised practicing good hygiene, such as frequent hand-washing, using hand sanitizer, and wearing masks and vaccination to help protect against severe illness and to minimise the spread.
PAHO has urged countries across the Americas to remain vigilant and strengthen health system preparedness in response to the simultaneous circulation of seasonal influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
“This situation could place additional pressure on hospitals and clinics for the remainder of the winter season in the Northern Hemisphere,” PAHO warned in a media release.
PAHO warned that, globally, influenza activity had been steadily increasing since October 2025, with A(H3N2) predominating and early signs of seasonal activity observed in several Northern Hemisphere countries, and that at the same time, RSV circulation was showing a gradual upward trend.
According to PAHO, in the Americas, influenza positivity remained above 10% in the Northern Hemisphere, with sustained increases in North and Central America and levels approaching 20% in the Caribbean, where A(H3N2) predominates.
PAHO said that in this context, the gradual increase in RSV circulation could further strain health systems, making close and continuous monitoring essential to adjust health service response plans.
“The simultaneous circulation of influenza and RSV is a significant challenge that requires us to prioritize vaccination — which protects against severe cases that may require hospitalization — and maintain close surveillance, enabling timely action to prevent larger outbreaks and avoid hospital overcrowding,” said Dr. Marc Rondy, PAHO regional adviser in epidemiology of epidemic- and pandemic-prone diseases.