In October, a sharp increase in the number of positive RS virus samples was registered in parts of the country. Several pediatric wards report that they are under severe pressure.
This year’s RS virus season has started unusually early. In several parts of Norway, there has been a rapid increase in the number of positive samples, the National Institute of Public Health (FHI) writes.
Several pediatric wards report many hospitalized children. The proportion of positive samples for RS virus has more than doubled in two weeks, from 8% in week 40 to 17% (1,199 positive samples) in week 42.
The FHI states that most positive tests were detected in the age group 0–4 years (771 positive tests in week 42).
The increase is probably due to the fact that there have been fewer respiratory infections during the era of corona restrictions, including RS virus infections, and that there is, therefore, less immunity than normal in the population – and especially among young children.
In general, the threshold for contacting a doctor should be low when it comes to younger children, Margrethe Greve-Isdahl at the FHI warns.
She encouraged parents to contact a doctor if they are worried about their sick child, for example, due to fever, shortness of breath, or if the child is not eating.
Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews
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