As the respiratory illness season begins, cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases are rising in Canada. But a new tool — nirsevimab, a protective antibody for infants — offers hope for prevention, though it is currently available only in some provinces.
The latest data from Health Canada, covering the week of Nov. 24 to Nov. 30, shows RSV cases are already climbing, with infants under one year old making up the largest proportion of infections.
RSV is a common and highly contagious respiratory virus that typically causes mild symptoms, but in infants, it can lead to serious complications such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, which may require hospitalization or even result in death, according to Health Canada.
Early infection has also been linked to long-term health issues, including persistent wheezing later in childhood.
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“Respiratory syncytial virus can affect everyone, but more consistently, it severely affects children less than five years of age,” explained Dr. Darine El-Chaar, a …