RSV a ‘big threat’ right now for pediatric emergency departments, N.S. doctor says

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is “the big threat right now” for pediatric emergency rooms in Nova Scotia, says an emergency physician at the IWK Health Centre. 

“COVID is still a threat and will always be a threat for kids and have an influence on the lives of children, but RSV right now is the big one that we’re worried about within the emergency department,” Dr. Jason Emsley said in a phone interview from the Halifax hospital. 

“We’re still admitting lots of kids on oxygen, especially much younger kids affected by RSV.” 

RSV usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, coughing, sneezing and wheezing. However, it can be life-threatening, especially in infants and older adults. 

“We’re still admitting lots of kids on oxygen, especially much younger kids affected by RSV.” 

– Dr. Jason Emsley

Emsley said although most kids do well when they contract COVID, those who have RSV tend to have a rougher time.  

However, there have been fewer PCR positives of RSV in Nova Scotia this season (Aug. 27, 2023, to Aug. 24, 2024) than there were in the same period in the 2022-2023 season, according to the province’s latest respiratory watch report (Dec. 31, 2023, to Jan. 6). 

There have been 844 lab-confirmed cases of RSV in the 2023-2024 season – 126 of those cases coming during the week of Dec. 31, 2023, to Jan. 6. There were also three new outbreaks of RSV at long-term care facilities across the province. 

Of those cases, the most (200) have been confirmed in people aged 65 and older, followed by people aged zero to five months (172), two to four years (169) and 12-23 months (104). 

Emsley said COVID and influenza haven’t hit quite as hard as they have out west, according to the numbers provided by his colleagues. 

But he said “the triple-demic” – COVID, influenza and RSV – is still affecting both pediatric and adult emergency departments across the country. 

There has been a steady increase in the number of PCR positive influenza cases across Nova Scotia since the week of Nov. 26 to Dec. 2, according to the latest respiratory report. There’s been 710 cases of Influenza A and 37 cases of Influenza B so far this season. 

As of Jan. 6, there had been 144 hospitalizations, eight ICU admissions and six deaths attributed to influenza. There had been one new outbreak at a long-term care facility. 

However, COVID cases are on the decline in comparison to the previous week. 

There were 238 new cases reported during the first week of January – down from 269 cases. 

As of Jan. 6, there had been 565 hospitalizations, 44 ICU admissions and 104 deaths attributed to COVID. There had been five new outbreaks at a long-term care facility. 

Emsley encouraged people to take precautionary measures where they’re able to. 

“The take-home message here is, with COVID still being a threat, all of these things still being a threat, we strongly encourage people to get vaccinations and get your kids vaccinated,” he said.

People can book an appointment for a COVID and/or influenza online or by calling 1-833-797-7772. Currently, the RSV vaccine has only been approved for people 60 and older and is not publicly funded by the Nova Scotia government. 

Emsley also encouraged people to keep up on their handwashing, as well as wear a mask in appropriate spaces.

And if people are sick, he said, people should try their best to refrain from being in contact with people who are considered high risk, such as the elderly and those with a weakened immune system. 

Emsley said, “if your child is having difficulty breathing, if they’re not hydrating well, has a fever for more than five days, anything that concerns those regards, do go in and seek medical attention as soon as possible.”