RSV Outbreak: Health Department Warns of Severe Illness and Death
The Department of Health has confirmed that the prevalent flu circulating is the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and has issued a warning for the public to take precautions ahead of the winter season.
Foster Mohale, spokesperson for the department, emphasized the rapid spread of RSV alongside the ongoing presence of the coronavirus, albeit at lower levels.
Mohale highlighted that the National Institute for Communicable Diseases is closely monitoring respiratory virus activity across the country and has indicated that RSV is currently at its peak season. The symptoms of RSV can be mistaken for those of Covid-19 or SARS-CoV-2, complicating diagnosis. While many cases of influenza, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2 are mild, they can lead to severe illness and fatalities among certain populations, particularly those with underlying health conditions.
“The National Institute for Communicable Diseases has a surveillance system which monitors the circulation of respiratory viruses throughout the country and has notified the department that it is currently the peak season of RSV which can be confused by some peoplewith Covid-19 or SARS-CoV-2 due to common symptoms. While most diseases caused by influenza, RSV and SARS-CoV-2 viruses are mild, these viruses may cause severe illness and even death among the citizens around the country, particularly in individuals with conditions placing them at high risk of severe disease,” said Mohale.
As the influenza season approaches its peak in the coming weeks, Mohale urged the public, especially those at high risk (including adults aged 65 and older, individuals with heart or lung disease, those with HIV or tuberculosis, and pregnant women), to get vaccinated against influenza to mitigate the risk of severe health complications.
He said the Influenza vaccine is available in public clinics at no cost.
“The vaccine can also be purchased in the private sector at several pharmacies for other people who fall in the high-risk groups as well as for those who do not fall into one of the risk groups, but who would like to protect themselves from influenza.”