Potentially deadly respiratory syncytial virus ‘racing through’ childcare, experts warn

A sharp rise in cases of a dangerous respiratory virus has been fuelled by “breeding ground” childcare centres and a lack of immunity over the pandemic, experts say.

South Australia’s new wave of a potentially deadly respiratory virus, especially in children, is being fuelled by a “breeding ground” of childcare centres, medical experts say.

Latest SA Health data shows a 2000 per cent surge in respiratory syncytial virus infections in the past two months with a median age of two years.

The Communicable Disease Control Branch has reported almost 1900 RSV patients – up from 90 in June – and compared to 68 for 2021. No cases have been recorded in SA before last year. While no patient has died in SA, hospital rates are unknown.

Immunisation Coalition chairman, Adelaide-based GP, Dr Rod Pearce blamed the spike on a “breeding ground” in childcare and an absence of viruses during the pandemic.

“All of the respiratory infections we’re seeing, a common story is childcare,” he said.

“Child care is a place where all of these things are brewed. It’s racing through child care.

“We used to call them (childcare centres) flu factories now they’re RSV factories.

“It has always been a potential threat and it’s always been the thing that cranks up the admissions with respiratory illness in children.”

Immunisation Coalition chairman and Adelaide-based GP Dr Rod Pearce says childcare centres are a “breeding ground” for RSV.

Experts say RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants and is traditionally the top cause of children being sent to hospital with respiratory illnesses.

It can spark severe health complications in babies six-months or younger and the elderly but can cause problems for patients with heart, lung or immune system complications.

Symptoms include a runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, fever and cough along wheezing and difficulty breathing.

A vaccine is being trialled overseas. Australian Medical Association SA president Dr Michelle Atchison said the virus was more dangerous for children because their smaller airways can block more easily.

She said the spike was also from people focused on Covid testing over other viruses.

“They go out into the community because they think ‘well, I don’t have Covid so I can go out’,” Dr Atchison said.

Australian Medical Association SA branch president Dr Michelle Atchison says people are only focused on getting tested for Covid. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners SA and NT chairman Dr Danny Byrne added: “It’s hitting us harder than normal because we don’t have that natural immunity in our community.”

SA Pathology has widened testing to 12 viruses, including RSV, influenza with a doctor’s referral. An SA Health spokeswoman urged good hygiene and to stay at home if ill.

“While we have seen an increase in cases in recent weeks, it is not unusual with respiratory illnesses to see more cases during late Autumn and Winter,” she said.