Health officers are reporting the primary little one dying attributed to respiratory syncytial virus in McHenry County this 12 months amid rising circumstances of the virus.
The McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) introduced Thursday the primary pediatric dying attributed to respiratory syncytial virus, also referred to as RSV, of the 2024 surveillance season.
RSV is a extremely contagious virus that may trigger extreme respiratory sickness, notably in infants and younger youngsters.
MCDH stated RSV exercise has been rising during the last 4 weeks in McHenry County.
The present transmission stage is assessed as reasonable, which implies there was elevated respiratory sickness exercise, although it’s not but on the peak for the season.
RSV is rising within the 0-4 age group. Emergency division and inpatient visits amongst adults aged 65 and older stay low.
“This low stage of RSV transmission in older adults is attributed to the effectiveness of the RSV vaccination, which provides safety in opposition to extreme sickness,” the MCDH stated.
While RSV usually causes gentle, cold-like signs corresponding to congestion, a runny nostril, irritability, decreased urge for food and fever, it could actually result in extra extreme respiratory signs in infants.
Severe signs of RSV in infants can embrace brief, shallow and abnormally quick respiratory, a wheezing cough, nasal flaring, issue feeding resulting from respiratory difficulties, uncommon tiredness, a blue tint to the lips or fingernails and fever.
Parents and caregivers ought to search medical care instantly in the event that they discover these extreme signs, the well being division stated.
RSV spreads by way of droplets from coughs, sneezes and contaminated surfaces.
People are urged to cowl coughs and sneezes, follow good hand hygiene by washing fingers repeatedly and clear steadily touched surfaces.
Health officers say it is usually necessary to keep away from shut contact with infants, corresponding to kissing, when sick.
Infants can contract RSV from members of the family or siblings who might have been uncovered to the virus in school or daycare.
A preventive antibody referred to as Beyfortus is accessible for infants below one 12 months of age. It gives safety in opposition to extreme RSV sickness, MCDH Said.
An RSV vaccine can also be really useful for adults 75 years of age and older, in addition to these aged 60 to 74 who’re at elevated danger for extreme RSV, the well being division added.
Health officers say they proceed to actively monitor RSV tendencies all through the season and urge all eligible residents to get vaccinated and take preventive measures to guard themselves and others.
