2023-11-08 20:33:51
The number of cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a lung infection that mainly affects young children, has been increasing in recent weeks and has exceeded the epidemic threshold, the weekly bulletin on respiratory infections of the Belgian health institute, Sciensano.
The number of positive RSV laboratory tests has exceeded the epidemic threshold of 214 consultations per 100,000 inhabitants over the past two weeks. This is the first time this threshold has been exceeded this fall. The number of hospital admissions for severe acute respiratory infection due to RSV is also increasing. These increases are occurring almost three weeks earlier than last year, Sciensano said.
The highly contagious respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) affects the upper respiratory tract, namely the nose and throat. Its symptoms resemble those of a cold. However, this virus can then cause complications around the lower respiratory tract and even prove serious or even fatal, mainly for young children and the elderly.
Every year, 33 million children under the age of five around the world become infected with RSV. This virus causes 3.6 million hospitalizations and 100,000 deaths each year. Of these deaths, 95% concern children under six months, the majority from low-income countries.
Still according to Sciensano, the flu epidemic is not rife in Belgium for the moment, although the number of consultations with general practitioners for flu symptoms increased slightly last week and the first confirmed flu infections of the season have been identified. The health institute also recalls the importance of the flu vaccine, mainly for the elderly and vulnerable people.
Finally, the number of people with symptoms of Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2) remained stable with a virus reproduction rate of 0.862.
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