SA Health warns of rising respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and flu cases in young children

A health alert has been issued to SA parents after a shock spike in RSV cases presenting to emergency rooms – with more than half being young children under the age of 5.

SA Health has issued parents a warning following “skyrocketing” numbers of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza cases among children under the age of five.

In the week leading up to last Saturday, hospitals have seen a total of 122 patients with the two prevailing respiratory infections.

Most alarmingly, almost 50 per cent of the patients were children.

Data shows there were 63 RSV cases, of which 43 were children under the age of five, and similarly, of the 59 influenza cases – 12 were children.

While RSV mostly affects children, adults can get it too.

Symptoms include runny nose, cough, wheezing and fever but in more severe cases can also cause breathing difficulties, dehydration and blur-coloured lips or skin.

RSV is highly infectious through droplets from coughing, sneezing, talking and touch.

Babies and young children are most at risk of respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, with 43 of the 63 cases admitted to hospital last week children under the age of 5.

Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier reminded South Australians to get a flu shot as currently only 22 per cent of the children (aged between six months and five years) are vaccinated against the flu.

Professor Spurrier said the number of flu and RVS cases only are likely to increase.

“Our flu numbers are really skyrocketing,” she said. “They look like they will be higher than the last two years and there’s no evidence of them plateauing at the moment.

“The other virus that we are always concerned about is RSV and that’s also with an upward trajectory and again, no sign of plateauing.”

Professor Spurrier said the lack of vaccination is putting children at risk of potentially fatal outcomes.

“When we look at the number of people hospitalised, it’s almost 50 per cent children for the flu and RSV combined … and that’s very concerning because little, tiny babies are very vulnerable,” she said.

“Kids get really sick, – we have to give them oxygen, we have to give them fluids, we might have to put a drip in, – and it’s very stressful for parents.

“And the worst case scenario, unfortunately, is it can be fatal for your little bub.”

Chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier speaking to the media about rising number of RSV and flu cases. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

Meanwhile, Professor Spurrier also addressed the various Covid-19 sublineages present in SA with the FLiRT variant still being the predominant strain.

“The FLiRT variant makes up around 10 per cent of the Covid-19 viruses circulating in South Australia … also known as FLuQE, makes up approximately 50 per cent of cases,” she said.

“Research on these new variants, including how easily transmissible they are, is still in the early stages, however they do not appear to have any unique symptoms and have not been associated with any more severe disease.

“For those who are vulnerable because of age or other diseases, keeping up to date with doses of the Covid-19 vaccine remains the best way to protect against Covid-19.”