The number of RSV cases continues to climb across New Zealand, with diagnoses up nearly 28 per cent on the week prior, new data shows.
The flu-like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has put childrens wards and general practices across the country under extreme pressure, with infants struggling to breathe and requiring intensive care.
The latest weekly surveillance report from Crown research institute ESR (Institute of Environmental Science and Research) shows there were 688 confirmed cases of RSV in the week to Sunday, July 4 up from 538 cases diagnosed the week prior.
In the week to July 4, there were 688 cases of RSV reported by the NZ virus laboratory network, up nearly 28 per cent on the week prior.
The report states 1680 cases of RSV have been reported to ESR laboratories so far this year. Between 2015 and 2019, the annual average number of RSV cases seen over the winter period weeks 18 to 39 of the year was about 1743 cases.
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RSV is a common, contagious winter illness most children have been infected with by the age of 2.
The absence of RSV last winter due to Covid-19 restrictions meant there is a cohort of infants and children who have not been exposed and are therefore more susceptible to the virus, ESR virologist Dr Sue Huang told Stuff this week.
ESR reported only 20 sporadic RSV cases until late May, when weekly numbers started growing.
Dr Sue Huang said the absence of RSV last winter meant there is a cohort of young Kiwis who havent been exposed to the virus. (file)
In the week to May 23, there were four cases detected in hospital swabs covering 70 per cent of the country.
The following week there were 15, then 36, then 105, a further 204 the following week, and then 538.
The week 26 data, collected late this week, shows the number of RSV cases that week was about three times higher than reports of rhinovirus (which causes the common cold).
The very sharp surge in RSV cases has led to hospitals making drastic changes.
Starship Childrens Hospital in Auckland is postponing some planned admissions for operations and medical procedures to make room for the increase in patients.
Hospitals across the country are experiencing a wave of admissions linked to respiratory illnesses such as RSV. (file)
Auckland District Health Board alongside a number of DHBs across the country has barred children from visiting patients in Starship, and young people under 14 are not allowed to visit maternity and gynaecology wards or outpatient clinics in a bid to stem the spread.
In south Auckland, Kidz First childrens hospital has converted a playroom to make space for 11 special care baby cots to free-up space for admissions.
Wairarapa Hospitals 10-bed paediatric unit was full this week, and the SCBU (Special Care Baby Unit) has been repurposed to a special care paediatric unit for those needing additional respiratory support.
Despite the sharp increase of cases, rates of RSV infection are still less than pre-Covid levels, Huang said earlier this week.
