Several children’s hospitals have already sounded the alarm in recent days about the growing number of infants and children with acute respiratory infections.
Sciensano’s Steven Van Gucht blurs the figures. “It’s hard to say that there’s more RSV circulating than in other years, because when you look at the numbers, it seems to be a normal pattern,” says Van Gucht. The phenomenon occurs every year, but it is important to be very careful, given that the number of hospital admissions due to the corona virus is also on the rise again. “RSV mainly circulates in November and December,” says Van Gucht.
Van Gucht asks that meetings with newborns be postponed, because very young children are often affected by the RSV virus.
“Good winter habits can now make a big difference. Think clean hands, good ventilation, stay home if you are sick or wear a mask if you have mild ailments, wear a mask on public transport and make sure you are up to date with your vaccination against the coronavirus and the flu “.
The number of flu infections is also expected to increase in the coming weeks, putting pressure on the healthcare system again.
