LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Pediatricians continue to see alarming increases in RSV patients in their offices. The Southern Nevada Health District also reported an uptick in cases this year compared to last.
Health officials say that Southern Nevada is seeing a 200% increase in RSV cases from this time last year. It's becoming a major concern for Eddie Belluomini, a registered nurse who works as the chief operating officer at OneCare Kids.
"Hospitals all over the valley are being inundated with patients both young and old. But especially young patients, those beds are filling up really fast at Sunrise, Summerlin, and UMC, as well," Belluomini said.
OneCare Kids provides home health services to kids with chronic illnesses.
"They are dealing with chronic conditions — heart disease, chronic lung disease — a lot of our patients are immuno-compromised, and that will have a big impact,” Belluomini said.
He says about 12 of their 101 patients have been hit with respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. He says this is difficult because their kids already have chronic diseases, and battling an illness like this can be deadly.
Eileen Ralston, the vice president of pediatric clinical operations at OneCare Kids, says these respiratory illnesses hit their patients hard.
"Sometimes they end up in the hospital, of course, some of the sicker ones," Ralston said. "We try to help them at home, so they don't get sicker."
As of Friday, the Southern Nevada Health District reported more than 1,800 cases of RSV, said Hailey Blake, SNHD disease supervisor.
And RSV is not the only threat, Blake said. SNHD also reports a 72% increase in influenza cases over the span of one week, and COVID-19 cases are trending upwards, too. All three respiratory illnesses are causing hospitalizations to spike, Blake said.
"We just go back to our regular prevention steps of having good hand hygiene, washing your hands, covering coughs, staying home when you're sick, and checking to make sure you're up to date on all immunizations,” Blake said.
He says the health district is working with local health officials to discuss the possible reinstatement of preventative measures that can help address this crisis.
Some valley hospitals are reporting a major influx of patients for RSV and influenza. Blake says right now the best way to avoid getting any form of respiratory illness — whether it is RSV, COVID, or the flu — is to get vaccinated if you are eligible, wear a mask, and continue following basic hygiene practices.
