Local Situation
RSV has caused the first known outbreak of the season in Mesa County at a licensed childcare facility. Mesa County Public Health and the facility are working closely to implement procedures to reduce further spread. Some cases of RSV in Mesa County have required medical care or hospitalization.
Prevention
While there is no need for alarm, parents and caregivers of young children should be aware of preventive measures. Children and adults should stay home if they have cold-like symptoms. It’s a good idea to frequently clean touched surfaces like doorknobs, tables, handrails, and toys. Good hand hygiene at home, school, and work is crucial. Wash hands often for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. Work with young children on covering their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If your child is showing early signs of RSV, call your healthcare provider. Your doctor can help you determine the best ways to manage symptoms and when it is important to be seen in the clinic, urgent care, or emergency department. Mesa County Public Health encourages childcare facilities to report RSV cases early to help prevent outbreaks.
Background
Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms in adults and older, healthy children. Symptoms can include congested or runny nose, dry cough, low-grade fever, sore throat, and decreased appetite. RSV is spread easily through droplets from a sneeze or cough. The virus can live on surfaces and objects for hours; people touch the surface with the virus then touch their mouth, nose, or eyes. It can also spread through direct contact, like shaking hands. RSV can cause severe infection in some people, including young children under the age of two, especially premature infants. Older adults, people with heart and lung disease, or those with a weak immune system are also considered at-risk for severe infection.