Thousands of people with respiratory viruses will be swab tested as part of research into the prevention and elimination of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and flu. The $9.8 million initiative, called Southern Hemisphere Influenza and Vaccine Effectiveness Research and Surveillance V (SHIVERS-V) will see swab tests taken in Auckland and Wellington over two years. The move comes amid an ongoing RSV outbreak, with recent data putting the infection rate at 143 per one million and suggestions the peak may be yet to come. READ MORE:* RSV outbreak: Surge in infants with dangerous respiratory virus likely to continue* Hospitals restrict visitors as children's RSV cases climb in top of the south* RSV outbreak: NZ seeing 'exponential' increase in cases but what is it? Researchers said New Zealand was in a unique position to carry out research into preventing the virus spread, after its success in Covid-19 measures.

Source: Stuff August 01, 2021 23:59 UTC