As Canada enters full-scale winter weather, cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection have recently been found to be rapidly increasing.
According to an announcement by the Federal Ministry of Health on the 22nd (Wednesday), the number of RSV infection cases across the country from last August to this month was counted at 1,220, and the test positivity rate was 5%.
“RSV is spreading, and cases are exceeding levels seen at this time of year,” the Ministry of Health said in a report.
Dr. Ann Wormsbecker, a paediatrician at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto, also said, “The number of children infected with RSV has been increasing rapidly over the past few weeks.”
RSV is a respiratory disease, and it is known that children are mainly susceptible to infection and are highly contagious. Adults can also easily become infected if they have a low immunity.
When children under the age of five become infected, they often develop severe illness and require hospitalization, and even if healthy adults are infected, they often only show flu-like symptoms. Additionally, patients with prematurity, chronic disease, lung disease, or congenital heart disease are at high risk and, depending on the situation, serious complications may occur.
Dr. Donald Bean, an infectious disease expert at McGill University, said in an interview with CBC, “Flu cases almost disappeared during the coronavirus pandemic, but they have been on the rise again since last year. The respiratory disease epidemic situation is worsening as before, putting pressure on medical services.” “It is being done,” he said.
He continued, “In the case of RSV, it was common before the coronavirus outbreak in Canada for RSV to start in October and flu to follow,” adding, “Coronavirus is relatively highly contagious, so the spread of other respiratory diseases such as influenza has decreased, and related vaccinations have prevented the outbreak.” “It sank,” he added.
In relation to this, the CBC reported, “Currently, Canada’s first RSV vaccine has been developed, and vaccination can be received along with the corona and flu vaccines “.
We are preparing for a significant increase in the number of children coming to the hospital with RSV infection this season.”