Updates from DPH Related to Increased Respiratory Virus Activity in Pediatric Populations
The Department is sharing some additional information with you related to increased respiratory virus activity in pediatric populations.
DPH would like to understand any supply chain challenges EMS services are experiencing in response to the surge in pediatric patients due to respiratory virus activity. Please complete this brief survey to help inform our planning.
Please find here the recording of last week’s Massachusetts Health and Hospital/DPH webinar: High Flow Nasal Cannula Training November 2 2022 Recording Link. This webinar was tailored to clinicians who are managing patients with bronchiolitis on HFNC outside the ICU – in both community hospitals and sites where there may be a pediatric ICU that is currently at capacity. Please feel free to share this webinar with other involved staff members.
Please see information below for CDC Health Advisory 479: Increased Respiratory Virus Activity, Especially Among Children, Early in the 2022-2023 Fall and Winter
View this CDC HAN Health Advisory as a PDF.
This is an official
CDC HEALTH ADVISORY
Distributed via the CDC Health Alert Network
November 04, 2022, 3:30 PM ET
CDCHAN-00479
Increased Respiratory Virus Activity, Especially Among Children, Early in the 2022-2023 Fall and Winter
Summary
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory about early, elevated respiratory disease incidence caused by multiple viruses occurring especially among children and placing strain on healthcare systems. Co-circulation of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza viruses, SARS-CoV-2, and others could place stress on healthcare systems this fall and winter. This early increase in disease incidence highlights the importance of optimizing respiratory virus prevention and treatment measures, including prompt vaccination and antiviral treatment, as outlined below.
Background
Many respiratory viruses with similar clinical presentations circulate year-round in the United States and at higher levels in fall and winter. In the past 2 years, respiratory disease activity has been dominated by SARS-CoV-2, and seasonal circulation of other respiratory viruses has been atypical or lower than pre-COVID-19 pandemic years. Currently, the U.S. is experiencing a surge and co-circulation of respiratory viruses other than SARS-CoV-2. CDC is tracking levels of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, and rhinovirus/enterovirus (RV/EV) that are higher than usual for this time of year, especially among children, though RV/EV levels may have plateaued in recent weeks. SARS-CoV-2 also continues to circulate in all U.S. states.
RSV