OAKLAND COUNTY (WWJ) - Officials confirmed one boy died of RSV on Tuesday, the same day the Oakland County Health Division said they're seeing a sharp increase in cases and urge residents to protect themselves against the illness.
The 6-year-old's death was recorded by the Oakland County Medical Examiner, who told WWJ's Sandra McNeill that the child had succumbed to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) with complications.
The case comes on the same day the Oakland County Health Division said they're seeing a surge in RSV cases within the last month.
Officials said children 4-years-old and younger make up most patients seen in emergency rooms across Southeast Michigan for RSV and other illnesses.
"RSV is affecting our youngest, more vulnerable residents," Oakland County Medical Director Dr. Russell Faust said in a prepared statement. "We are concerned about RSV, flu and COVID-19 all being widespread as we move into the winter. Get your COVID and flu vaccines when eligible and wash your hands often."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveillance., RSV cases are peaking earlier than normal -- cases usually reaching their highest count in winter.
While RSV is a common respiratory virus that causes mild cold-like symptoms, infection in older adults and infants can be severe. It is the leading cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs) in children under 1 year old in the United States.
The Health Division recommends the following tips to help prevent the spread of RSV and other diseases:
• Get vaccinated/boosted for influenza and COVID-19
• Stay home if sick, even when testing negative for COVID-19
• Wear a mask if sick and being around others is unavoidable
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Avoid close contact, such as kissing, shaking hands, and sharing cups and eating utensils with others
• Clean frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and mobile devices
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve, not your hands
• People with cold-like symptoms should limit interaction with children at high risk for severe RSV disease, including premature infants, children younger than 2 years old who have chronic lung or heart conditions, and children with weakened immune systems. If this is not possible, carefully follow the prevention steps mentioned above.
Signs and symptoms of severe RSV infection in infants include:
• Short, shallow, and rapid breathing
• Struggling to breathe — chest muscles and skin pull inward with each breath
• Cough
• Poor feeding
• Unusual tiredness
• Irritability
Officials advise seeking immediate medical addition if a child or anyone at risk of severe RSV infection has difficulty breathing, a high fever, or a blue color to the skin, particularly on the lips and in the nail beds.
More information about RSV can be found at the Health Division's website at www.oakgov.com/health or by contacting Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 or noc@oakgov.com.
Nurse on Call is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Other public health information can be found by following @publichealthOC on Facebook and Twitter.