The welcome drop-in RSV rates over the pandemic could actually spell disaster, as the virus returns and wreaks havoc on unprotected children.
Thanks to restrictions introduced to combat covid, rates of flu and RSV have plummeted in Australia and internationally. For example, Western Australia experienced a 98% drop in RSV over winter. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
But some experts are warning of “alarming epidemics” on the horizon when covid restrictions lift further.
“We’ve certainly seen a very significant increase in admissions, particularly in the pediatric population,” he said. “And we’ve seen a large number of cases in the community as well.”
Hospital admissions also increased almost fivefold, reaching 1151 early this year, compared to 238 last year. In pre-pandemic times, RSV rates would spike in the winter months, thanks to environmental and behavioral factors. “Cold temperatures stabilize the RSV lipid envelope, humidity facilitates the deposition of heavy droplets on surfaces and, during cold and rainy periods, people stay indoors, where RSV transmission is easier,” wrote Professor Midulla.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.