Officials deny RSV outbreak

Officials deny RSV outbreak

Health officials in Nakhon Ratchasima admit that eight children have been infected with Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) but deny there's been an outbreak of the airborne disease in nurseries.

The children were aged 2-5 and are recovering after receiving hospital treatment, said Dr Narinrat Pichayakamin, a public health official.

A total of 30 children suspected of contracting RSV have been hospitalised over the past week. The other 22 have not shown any RSV symptoms.

Some parents in Korat were panicked by an unsubstantiated rumour that went viral on social media, apparently spread by a doctor, of an RSV outbreak in nurseries.

Dr Narinrat attempted to allay those fears, saying provincial hospitals were on top of the situation and could handle more cases if need be.

However, he denied there had been an RSV outbreak in local nurseries and schools. "Those eight young patients do not attend nurseries, so there is no transmission in nurseries," he said.

RSV has flu-life symptoms and is often found among young children. There is no cure for it, making it a worrying condition that could lead to severe lung infection in young children, especially those aged under 2.

Just over a week ago, on Oct 30, a 10-month-old girl in Chaiyaphum province reportedly died of RSV.

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