Number of RS virus cases increased after corona measures were lifted

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The number of cases with the RS virus has been increasing for several weeks. Normally there is a decrease around this time, but due to the lifting of the corona measures, it flares up.

According to RIVM virologist Adam Meijer, the RS virus has not gone away since the summer peak and has continued to slumber.

RS epidemic

“That summer peak has smoothly transitioned into the normal winter circulation. There was a small revival at the end of last year, but it decreased again when the corona measures became stricter again,” Meijer tells. NU.nl† Many children, especially the group born after the summer peak, have therefore not yet had the virus. This also applies to pregnant women and mothers, who were therefore unable to give their child antibodies.

Lifting corona measures

The lifting of the corona measures in March has resulted in an increase. “Since then, the RS virus has been circulating more, just like the flu virus,” said the virologist. Normally, the RS virus mainly occurs between November and March. In the winters of 2020 and 2021, the number of cases fell sharply, but in the following summer – when many corona measures were lifted – it increased again. It is difficult to estimate how the RS epidemic will develop further, according to Meijer, but it seems to be stabilizing more.

Also read: Kimberly’s baby got the RS virus: ‘I was terrified’

RS virus

The RS virus is a common cold virus. Older children and adults often get a cold, runny nose and sometimes a slight fever. The RS virus can be dangerous for the elderly, but also for babies. They can get pneumonia or inflammation of the smallest branches of the bronchi. Sometimes children are hospitalized.

Source: NU.nl