November 2, 2022 7:09 AM
November Public Health Advisory Notice
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is monitoring an increase in hospitalizations and outbreaks for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Health care providers, including primary care and pediatric providers, can play an active role in helping families determine the best ways to help children with RSV, including home management and when a child should be seen in the clinic, urgent care, or emergency room. Cases are occurring earlier than usual in the respiratory illness season. CDPHE is supporting the coordination of hospitals as they plan for the possibility of more cases.
Currently, 95% of hospitalizations are among children. Additionally, CDPHE has seen a sharp increase in reported RSV outbreaks occurring in child care and school settings, with 42 confirmed outbreaks reported Statewide since Oct. 1, 2022. Among these outbreaks, more than half have had at least one person involved in the outbreak seek care at a hospital.