San Bernardino County health officials have confirmed the first RSV-related death of a child under 5 years old in the county Thursday.
The child, who was severely immunocompromised, passed away at an L.A. County hospital back in December 2023. The child was a resident of San Bernardino County.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that often causes colds but can be severe or even fatal for infants and older adults.
RSV is typically spread when an infected person sneezes or coughs, through close or direct contact with someone who is sick, or by touching infected surfaces and then touching your face without washing your hands.
Children are often exposed to RSV outside the home, such as in school or childcare centers, health officials said. They can then transmit the virus to other members of the family.
Symptoms of RSV include:
- Runny nose
- Decrease in appetite
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Fever
- Wheezing
“These symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “In very young infants with RSV, the only symptoms may be irritability, decreased activity, and breathing difficulties.”
People infected with RSV are contagious for 3 to 8 days and may become contagious a day or two before they start showing signs of illness, the CDC said.
Some infants and people with weakened immune systems can continue spreading the virus even after symptoms stop showing, for up to four weeks afterward.
CDC officials said RSV can survive for many hours on hard surfaces such as tables and crib rails. For soft surfaces such as tissues and hands, the virus will live for shorter amounts of time.
For most of the U.S., RSV season generally begins during fall and will peak in the wintertime.
“The loss of this young child underscores the importance of heightened awareness and protective measures, especially for vulnerable populations including older adults, pregnant people, and infants,” said Dr. Michael Sequeira, San Bernardino County’s Health Officer.
Officials offer these tips to help prevent an RSV infection or transmission:
- Frequent handwashing – Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being around sick individuals or in crowded places.
- Avoid close contact – Limit close contact with sick individuals, particularly infants and those with compromised immune systems. Stay home if you are sick.
- Practice respiratory hygiene – Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow and dispose of tissues in the trash immediately.
- Sanitize surfaces – Regularly clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces, such as toys, doorknobs, and countertops.
- Get vaccinated – Vaccines are available to older adults, pregnant people, and infants. Talk with your healthcare provider to learn more about the vaccine.
- Stay home if you’re feeling sick.
- Consider wearing a mask, especially if you are sick or in crowded/indoor areas.
More information on RSV and related resources can be viewed at the California Department of Public Health’s website or on the CDC’s info page.
