For the last two years, Canada has seen very few cases of RSV. There were only 239 positive cases between August 29, 2020, and May 8, 2021, compared with 18,860 positive tests in a similar period the previous year (between August 25, 2019, and May 2, 2020).
‘Canada recorded very few cases of RSV after the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. So, pregnant women and infants who did not develop immunity against this infection in the previous season are at the risk of developing severe illness.’
“The off-season resurgence in seasonal respiratory viruses now potentially poses a threat to vulnerable infants,” said Dr. Pascal Lavoie, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
Experts warn about this issue as most pregnant women and infants did not develop immunity against this infection in the previous season. The chances of developing severe illness are high among them, which could stretch healthcare resources in pediatric intensive care units (ICUs).
The authors published their opinion in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. They suggest a continued emphasis on hand hygiene, planning by pediatric ICUs, and administering preventive treatment to the highest-risk infants to manage the cases of RSV infection.
Source: Medindia
