Increase in respiratory illnesses in the Kenora area
Northwestern Health Unit has been informed by Lake of the Woods District Hospital of an increase in emergency room visits for respiratory illnesses for the Kenora area. Test results from the COVID-19 assessment centre indicate that Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the cause for the increase in illness.
RSV is one of many seasonal cold viruses, which can range from mild to severe. RSV can have a higher severity in infants born prematurely, infants and young children with heart or lung disease. As well as older adults, adults with chronic lung or heart disease, and those with weakened immune systems.
RSV cases are not reported to public health and since it is often a mild cold, for this reason there is no annual count of number of cases locally, elsewhere in Canada or around the world. These recent cases were identified as RSV because we are testing people for COVID-19 who would not normally be tested for cold-like illnesses if not in a pandemic. For more information about RSV visit the Canadian Pediatrics Society Caring for Kids or Sick Kids About Kids Health.
Exposure to viral illness is an important part of developing immunity for infants and children. Other countries have noted an increase in RSV as countries lift public health restrictions. The pandemic response restrictions may have reduced infant and young children exposure to viruses, including RSV, resulting in low immunity.
With any viral illness, infants and children can become ill very quickly. Canadian Pediatric Society recommendations for when a parent should seek medical guidance are outlined in these fact sheets:
The best ways to protect yourself and others are by coughing and sneezing into your sleeve/elbow or tissue, washing your hands often, avoiding touching your face, and cleaning commonly-touched surfaces on a regular basis. Those who are sick should avoid those who are at risk of severe disease.
It is important to continue to seek COVID-19 testing when you have failed the school, daycare or workplace screening tools, and not to assume a person has a cold including RSV.
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Media contact:
Dr. Kit Young Hoon
Medical Officer of Health
Northwestern Health Unit
jbegg@nwhu.on.ca