CDC Warns Of Spike In RSV Cases In Florida, Southern States
MIAMI (CBSMiami/CNN) - There's been an uptick in the number of RSV cases across Florida and a dozen other southern states.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cold virus that usually spreads in the fall and winter.
Due to the unusual spring wave, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a Health Advisory Network warning to doctors and other health care providers to be on alert for the virus, which can cause pneumonia, especially in very small children and babies.
"Due to this increased activity, CDC encourages broader testing for RSV among patients presenting with acute respiratory illness who test negative for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19," the CDC said in the alert.
"RSV can be associated with severe disease in young children and older adults. This health advisory also serves as a reminder to healthcare personnel, childcare providers, and staff of long-term care facilities to avoid reporting to work while acutely ill -- even if they test negative for SARS-CoV-2."
RSV is spread like most other respiratory diseases - by small droplets and on contaminated surfaces.
"RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children under one year of age in the United States. Infants, young children, and older adults with chronic medical conditions are at risk of severe disease from RSV infection," the CDC said.
"Each year in the United States, RSV leads to on average approximately 58,000 hospitalizations with 100-500 deaths among children younger than 5 years old and 177,000 hospitalizations with 14,000 deaths among adults aged 65 years or older."
There's no specific treatment for the virus.
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