Respiratory Illnesses Surge in Puebla, Mexico – COVID-19 and Influenza Update

Puebla, Mexico is experiencing a significant rise in respiratory illnesses, with a concerning number of deaths attributed to complications from influenza and COVID-19 in early March 2026. Data from the Federal Ministry of Health indicates that Puebla has recorded more deaths from these respiratory diseases than any other state in the country this year.

Rising Cases and Fatalities

Between January 1st and March 2nd, 2026, a total of 14,491 residents of Puebla sought medical attention for symptoms including cough, flu, fever, and sore throat. Of those tested, 540 cases were confirmed as influenza, representing 5.2% of the initial sample. This placed Puebla fourth nationally in confirmed influenza cases, behind Mexico City (1,450), Nuevo León (743), and the State of Mexico (628).

But, Puebla leads the nation in deaths related to respiratory illnesses, with 28 fatalities reported, resulting in a fatality rate of 5%. This means that approximately five out of every 100 confirmed cases prove fatal. Nuevo León (19), Mexico City (18), Hidalgo (17), and the State of Mexico (14) followed Puebla in the highest number of deaths.

COVID-19 Incidence and Fatality

The Federal Ministry of Health as well reported 4,190 patients in Puebla exhibiting symptoms associated with the coronavirus throughout the year, though only three tested positive. While this represents the lowest incidence of COVID-19 infections in the state since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, one of those affected died, resulting in a fatality rate of 33%.

Other states reporting deaths from COVID-19 this year include Chihuahua, Aguascalientes, Hidalgo, Michoacán, and Nuevo León.

Ongoing Health Alerts and Recommendations

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico continues to issue health alerts regarding the ongoing COVID-19 situation in Mexico, advising individuals to stay informed and follow local government guidelines. Canadians traveling to Mexico are advised to exercise a high degree of caution due to high levels of criminal activity and kidnapping. It is recommended to consult with a healthcare provider about the COVID-19 vaccine before traveling to Mexico. For updated information, refer to the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19MX website.