The annual influenza vaccination remains available until February 28, 2025, at public health centers nationwide.

Ecuador’s vaccination campaign against measles, rubella, and polio is underway and will run until the end of May 2025. The vaccines are provided free of charge at health centers nationwide.

About the Campaign

The Ministry of Health launched the vaccination drive on January 20, 2025, aiming to eradicate these viral diseases and reduce the number of unvaccinated individuals. To support this initiative, the government has secured 290,000 doses for measles and rubella and 513,143 doses for polio.

Who Can Get Vaccinated?

For Polio:

• Children between 1 and 2 years old.

For Measles and Rubella:

• Children aged 7 and older.

• Teenagers aged 13 to 18 years old.

High-Risk Groups:

• Healthcare workers in childcare and strategic sectors.

• Caregivers for people with disabilities.

How To Get the Vaccinations

To receive the vaccine, visit any public health center in Ecuador. No payment is required.

The manufacturer has issued a warning about the counterfeit and illegal sale of a batch of tablets, which pose a health risk.

On January 20, 2025, the Regulatory Agency for Health Control (Arcsa) issued an alert regarding the counterfeit batch of Micardis Plus 80/12.50mg tablets, lot number 104077. The product was falsified and unlawfully sold in Ecuador.

Boehringer Ingelheim, the company behind the product, notified Arcsa about the counterfeit version of their medication. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the batch, originally intended for the Turkish market, had been smuggled into Ecuador in fake packaging.

Health Risks

"Since this is a counterfeit product, we cannot guarantee its authenticity or its contents," warned Arcsa. "We have no traceability of its distribution or information on its supply chain. Therefore, we cannot ensure its quality, safety, or effectiveness."

As a result, this counterfeit medicine poses a significant health risk to the public.

Arcsa's Recommendations

- Do not sell, distribute, or use the Micardis® Plus 80/12.50mg tablets, lot 104077.

- Only purchase products with a valid Health Registration and from authorized establishments.

- If you encounter or have information about the illegal sale of this batch, report it to Arcsa via email at control.posterior@controlsanitario.gob.ec or through the Arcsa Mobile app.

- Report any adverse events related to the use of this medication to farmaco.vigilancia@controlsanitario.gob.ec.

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.

Ecuador is experiencing a sharp rise in respiratory illnesses as families return from New Year’s celebrations, with reports of influenza, COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) spreading quickly across the country. Medical professionals are urging the public to seek care and get vaccinated as the epidemic grows.

Rising Illnesses: The Impact of the New Year Holiday

Carmen Jiménez and her family, including her husband and two children, kicked off 2025 with symptoms of the flu—coughing, sneezing, fever, and body aches. The family suspects they caught the flu during social gatherings to celebrate Christmas and the New Year.

“Our symptoms started on January 3, 2025, right after attending a series of events,” says Carmen. “For two nights, I couldn’t stop coughing, and my body ached so much I couldn’t sleep.” Carmen’s husband, Eduardo Ortiz, and their son Matías also developed a fever of 39°C (102.2°F) alongside their symptoms.

At the Valle de Los Chillos clinic, located in southeastern Quito, they found many families with similar symptoms. Most of the patients were diagnosed with influenza, while others tested positive for COVID-19, and some children were diagnosed with RSV.

“There’s definitely an epidemic of respiratory diseases right now,” says Aníbal Guamán, a 45-year-old man wearing a mask while waiting for medical attention.

Increased Pressure on Health Centers

In nearby Conocoto, at the local health center, dozens of parents and children wearing masks sit waiting for their appointments. “No one has been able to avoid the flu,” complains Solange Caiza, who, after hours of waiting, found out she had contracted COVID-19.

Doctors have reported a significant increase in respiratory illnesses, especially after the holidays. “It’s not just children; we’re seeing cases across all age groups—adolescents, adults, and seniors,” explains a local doctor.

As of early January 2025, the Ministry of Health recorded 1,829 confirmed cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) and 58 related deaths. Most of the cases have been reported in Pichincha, Guayas, and Manabí, with the influenza and RSV viruses being the main culprits.

A Growing Concern: The Spread of Viruses

Epidemiologist Daniel Simancas explains that the current surge in respiratory illnesses is directly tied to the Christmas and New Year holidays. However, he warns that the situation may worsen in the coming weeks. “With adults returning to work and children back in school, the chances of further virus spread are high,” Simancas says.

Infectious disease expert Daniel Mendoza estimates that this peak in cases could last until March, in line with typical seasonal virus behavior. "It’s crucial that the healthcare system stays prepared in case the situation worsens," he adds.

Health Authorities Urge Vaccination

The Ministry of Health has bolstered its epidemiological surveillance to handle the surge in respiratory illnesses. They are also encouraging the public to get vaccinated at health centers before February 28, 2025, when the national vaccination campaign ends.

In a statement, the Ministry assured that the Human Metapneumovirus, a recent health concern in China, is not circulating in Ecuador.

Recognizing the Symptoms: How to Tell the Difference

While influenza, COVID-19, and the common cold share many symptoms, there are key differences. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) outline the following distinctions:

• Influenza:

  • Fever

  • Fatigue

  • Vomiting and diarrhea

  • Headache

  • Runny nose and congestion

  • Sore throat and cough

  • Muscle pain and body aches

  • Shortness of breath

• COVID-19:

  • Fever

  • Fatigue

  • Vomiting and diarrhea

  • Headache

  • Loss of smell and taste

  • Cough

  • Joint pain

  • Shortness of breath

• Common Cold:

  • Hoarseness

  • Watery eyes

  • Runny nose and congestion

  • General malaise

If you experience any of these symptoms you can visit your local healthcare center of the Ministry of Public Health.

Source: Primicias.

Over 10,000 cases of the Oropouche virus (OROV) have been reported globally in 2024, affecting countries like Brazil, Ecuador, and Colombia, as well as parts of Europe. Ecuador has documented two cases, both of which resulted in full recovery.

Oropouche is transmitted primarily through the bite of the biting midge Culicoides paraensis and occasionally by the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus. Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, photophobia, and muscle/joint pain, typically resolving within 2-3 weeks. Severe cases may lead to meningitis or encephalitis.

Currently, there are no vaccines or antiviral treatments, and the virus can have a fatality rate of up to 88%.

Preventive measures include:

• Avoiding areas with high insect activity.

• Wearing protective clothing and using insect repellents.

• Removing stagnant water to reduce breeding grounds.

You are advised to follow these precautions to lower your risk of infection.

The newspaper El Comercio asked Martín Domínguez J., a professor at the law school of the Universidad Internacional del Ecuador, whether a hospital can detain a patient until the hospital bill is paid.

This inquiry was prompted by the death of a newborn baby in a Cuenca hospital last week. The incident unfolded as follows: A woman gave birth via C-section in a private hospital in Cuenca, a procedure that typically costs around $3,000. Due to complications, the hospital bill rose to $8,300. Unable to pay, the mother decided to transfer the baby to the local IESS hospital for further treatment. However, the private hospital refused to release the baby because the bill had not been paid. Tragically, the baby died while still in the private hospital, which then refused to release the baby's body.

According to Professor Domínguez, the hospital violated the right to freedom enshrined in Article 66 of the Constitution of the Republic of Ecuador. Clause 29 of this article states that individuals cannot be imprisoned for failing to pay financial obligations such as debts or taxes, with the exception of alimony:

(...) 29. Los derechos de libertad también incluyen: (...) c) Que ninguna persona pueda ser privada de su libertad por deudas, costas, multas, tributos, ni otras obligaciones, excepto el caso de pensiones alimenticias. (...)

Furthermore, the professor pointed out that the violation of the baby's rights is exacerbated by the fact that the baby belongs to a priority care group, as specified in Article 35 of the Constitution. This article mandates that seniors, children, adolescents, pregnant women, persons with disabilities, people deprived of liberty, and those suffering from catastrophic or highly complex illnesses are to receive priority and specialized care in both public and private sectors:

Art. 35.- Las personas adultas mayores, niñas, niños y adolescentes, mujeres embarazadas, personas con discapacidad, personas privadas de libertad y quienes adolezcan de enfermedades catastróficas o de alta complejidad, recibirán atención prioritaria y especializada en los ámbitos público y privado. (...)

Additionally, Professor Domínguez asserted that detaining a person in a hospital could be classified as the crime of kidnapping for ransom, as defined in Article 162 of the Comprehensive Organic Penal Code (COIP): 

Art. 161.- Secuestro.- La persona que prive de la libertad, retenga, oculte, arrebate o traslade a lugar distinto a una o más personas, en contra de su voluntad, será sancionada con pena privativa de libertad de cinco a siete años.

Art. 162.- Secuestro extorsivo.- Si la persona que ejecuta la conducta sancionada en el artículo 161 de este Código tiene como propósito cometer otra infracción u obtener de la o las víctimas o de terceras personas dinero, bienes, títulos, documentos, beneficios, acciones u omisiones que produzcan efectos jurídicos o que alteren de cualquier manera sus derechos a cambio de su libertad, será sancionada con pena privativa de libertad de diez a trece años. (...)

Conclusion

In Ecuador, you have the right to leave a hospital even if you haven't paid your bill. If a hospital refuses to let you go, call the police at 911 to secure your release. If you are detained, report the crime of kidnapping to the public prosecutor.

Ambulance 1

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Air Ambulance Professionals, Inc. REVA

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Air Med

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AMR Air Ambulance

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• Address: 8001 South InterPort Blvd, Ste. 150, Englewood, CO 80112 U.S.A.
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