Surge in Pediatric Respiratory Illnesses Overwhelms Hospitals in Ecuador
Hospitals across Ecuador are reporting a significant rise in respiratory illnesses among children, with many cases progressing to pneumonia. This has led to overcrowding in pediatric emergency rooms, straining resources and families alike.
At the IESS Hospital in southern Quito, the pediatric ward was full this morning. Children requiring oxygen lined the beds, and weary mothers stood watch. Martha, one such mother, has been at the hospital for three days with her one-and-a-half-year-old son, who is battling pneumonia.
The Ecuadorian Pediatric Society reports a 40% increase in respiratory illnesses in children since the start of the year. Currently, 80% of children hospitalized—or even admitted to emergency rooms—present respiratory symptoms. At some hospitals, daily cases have surged from 100 to 150.
A worrying trend is that many children arrive with advanced conditions such as pneumonia, a severe infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. In many wards, the majority of young patients share this diagnosis.
Experts urge parents to seek immediate medical care if their children exhibit warning signs, including persistent fever, rapid breathing, or a bluish tint around the lips or face. Early intervention is critical to prevent severe complications.
Source: Ecuavisa.