Patients with RSV have died in the top of the South Island, as the Nelson Marlborough Health warns the outbreak could get worse for older patients. New Zealand has been experiencing an outbreak of the highly contagious respiratory syncytial virus, particularly among children. But, while the number of cases was starting to ease among children, there could be worse to come for older people, he warned. “In older people RSV can be a contributing factor to death but not necessarily the sole cause. “Given the quieter season last year this year may yet get significantly worse for older people.”It was important that children with respiratory illnesses were kept home and away from vulnerable older people, he said.

Source: Stuff August 11, 2021 00:00 UTC