Acute Respiratory Infection

8 Active Outbreaks

Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) is an infection affecting the lungs and airways, ranging from mild colds to severe pneumonia. It's primarily caused by viruses (e.g., influenza, rhinoviruses), but bacteria and other pathogens can also be responsible. ARI is a leading cause of illness worldwide, particularly impacting young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.

6
Countries Affected
1,836
Recent Cases (30d)
8
Active Outbreaks
23d ago
Last Updated
📱 iOS App Temporarily Unavailable

We're working with Apple to restore our app to the App Store.

Get notified when it's back:
Email [email protected] (subject: REMINDER) or check back in a few days.

Track in App
Temporarily Unavailable
Track in App View Active Outbreaks

What is Acute Respiratory Infection?

Acute Respiratory Infections have been a major cause of human illness and death throughout history, often causing devastating epidemics before the germ theory of disease. The identification of specific viral and bacterial pathogens in the late 19th and 20th centuries revolutionized understanding and led to the development of vaccines and targeted treatments. Despite these advances, ARIs remain a significant global health challenge.

Symptoms

  • Cough (dry or productive)
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Fever and chills
  • Headache and body aches
  • Fatigue and general malaise
  • Shortness of breath (in more severe cases)

Transmission

Acute Respiratory Infections primarily spread through respiratory droplets released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can then be inhaled by others or land on surfaces, leading to transmission upon touching contaminated surfaces and then one's face. Airborne transmission via smaller aerosols can also occur for some pathogens, especially in enclosed spaces.

Contagious Period: Varies by disease

Prevention

  • Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based sanitizer.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow.
  • Minimize close contact with sick individuals.
  • Get recommended vaccines like the annual flu shot and pneumococcal vaccines, especially for vulnerable groups.
  • Maintain a healthy lifestyle, including adequate sleep and nutrition.

Active Outbreaks & Recent Cases

Real-time intelligence from global health monitoring and AI-powered surveillance

Data sources: BEACON, ProMED, WHO, CDC, and 50+ national health agencies

✓ Live data updated in real-time from global health sources

Protecting Afghan families through lifesaving health awareness campaigns at the border

Afghanistan 2026-03-21
Active

15 March 2026, Kabul, Afghanistan - At the Zero Point of Milak Border Crossing in Nimroz Province, southwestern Afghanistan, 30-year-old social mobilizer Ferishta Zahedi stands before groups of women and returning families, speaking in a calm and friendly voice. "I am here because your health and your family's health matter. I want to share simple but important information that can help you protect your children and loved ones from infectious diseases." For many of the women she meets, it is the first time that someone has taken the time to explain serious diseases such as acute respiratory infections, acute watery diarrhoea and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in ways they understand. Returnee populations often face heightened health risks due to overcrowding, limited access to services a...
Read Full Article

500 0
View Details → (App Temporarily Unavailable)

🚨 Banjarmasin declares alert on Acute Respiratory Infection - ANTARA News Kalimantan Selatan

United States, Alaska 2025-10-24
Active

Banjarmasin in Kalimantan Selatan, Indonesia, has declared an alert due to an increase in Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) cases. This signifies a rapidly developing public health concern requiring immediate attention to identify the cause and implement control measures.

0 0
View Details → (App Temporarily Unavailable)

China's progress in antibiotic guidance trumpeted

China 2026-03-01
Active

Chinese scientists have made advances in antibiotic stewardship research for primary health care, providing a replicable and scalable "China PHC Management Program" to address the challenge of implementing scientific antimicrobial stewardship in primary healthcare facilities. A medical research team has published their study entitled "Effects of a comprehensive antibiotic stewardship program on antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory infections in rural facilities: a cluster randomized trial" in the top international journal Nature Medicine. The study not only provides a practical policy guidance framework for promoting scientific antimicrobial stewardship and improving the quality of medical services in China's primary healthcare facilities, but also offers a Chinese approach for pri...
Read Full Article

500 0
View Details → (App Temporarily Unavailable)

From outrage to action: Prioritising patient safety in Nigeria - Businessday NG

Nigeria 2026-03-11
Active

Following the tragic deaths of a 21-month-old boy in a private Lagos hospital and a mother of five in Kano amid allegations of medical negligence, Nigeria is once again debating the safety of patients across the country. The grief, anger, flood of "This happened to my family too" stories, and collective outcry demonstrate many Nigerians believe preventable harm is common in our hospitals. A critical review found 47 percent of patients rated Nigeria's health system "poor/very poor", and Demographic and Health Survey data show care-seeking for under-five children with fever and acute respiratory infection falling from 75 percent in 2018 to 60 percent in 2023/2024. These figures suggest a worrying erosion of confidence in care. Each new allegation triggers a familiar cycle. Some institutions ...
Read Full Article

500 0
View Details → (App Temporarily Unavailable)

None

Czechia, South Moravian 2026-05-11
Active

BE AWARE OF HANTAVIRUS!

what is hantavirus? - hantavirus is a covid from dirty mouse that was firstly captured in a boat, 3 of the People that were infected died, and the others with it were send to the land, like swiztcherland, maybe america and multiple countries, and also it can quickly spread by the infected from breaths, please be careful in public and be healthy.

153 1
View Details → (App Temporarily Unavailable)

None

Egypt, Giza 2026-05-09
Active

There has been another hantavirus death in Egypt new Cairo

140 3
View Details → (App Temporarily Unavailable)

Protecting Afghan families through lifesaving health awareness campaigns at the border

Afghanistan 2026-03-29
Active

15 March 2026, Kabul, Afghanistan - At the Zero Point of Milak Border Crossing in Nimroz Province, southwestern Afghanistan, 30-year-old social mobilizer Ferishta Zahedi stands before groups of women and returning families, speaking in a calm and friendly voice. "I am here because your health and your family's health matter. I want to share simple but important information that can help you protect your children and loved ones from infectious diseases." For many of the women she meets, it is the first time that someone has taken the time to explain serious diseases such as acute respiratory infections, acute watery diarrhoea and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in ways they understand. Returnee populations often face heightened health risks due to overcrowding, limited access to services a...
Read Full Article

42 0
View Details → (App Temporarily Unavailable)

None

United States, North Carolina 2025-08-21
Active

Remote Long COVID Trial to Evaluate Repurposed Drug Across US: The LoCITT study aims to expand access through a fully remote design using CareEvolution’s MyDataHelps platform.

1 1
View Details → (App Temporarily Unavailable)
View Live Alerts

Track Acute Respiratory Infection and 200+ other diseases with personalized alerts

Expert Resources & References

Trusted information from leading health organizations

CDC

Official guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

View CDC Resources →

WHO

Global disease surveillance and guidelines from the World Health Organization

View WHO Resources →

Research

Latest peer-reviewed research and clinical studies

View Research →

Medically Reviewed Content

Disease information on Virus Watcher is reviewed by our Chief Epidemiologist, a former CDC lead analyst for FluSight forecasting. Outbreak data is aggregated from verified sources including BEACON, ProMED, WHO, CDC, and 50+ national health agencies. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.

Last reviewed: 2026-06-03

Stay Ahead of Acute Respiratory Infection Outbreaks

Get real-time alerts and intelligence on Acute Respiratory Infection and 200+ other diseases. Used by healthcare systems, EMS, schools, and travelers worldwide.

📱 iOS App Temporarily Unavailable

We're working with Apple to restore our app to the App Store.

Get notified when it's back:
Email [email protected] (subject: REMINDER) or check back in a few days.

Download App
Temporarily Unavailable
Download App Enterprise Solutions