RSV cases surge among children in Shanghai, hospitals report

(ECNS) -- Hospitals in Shanghai are reporting a sharp rise in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections among children, with many patients requiring emergency care and some admitted to intensive care units, local health authorities said.

At Shanghai Children's Hospital, emergency, pediatric, and respiratory departments were crowded on Wednesday morning, as parents waited with their sick children, most under the age of five. Inside treatment rooms, many children were seen receiving nebulizer therapy while fitted with IV needles.

RSV topped all positive test results," said Huang Yujuan, director of the hospital's emergency department, noting a rise in family cluster infections and that emergency visits have nearly doubled compared to a few weeks ago.

Huang cautioned parents to minimize gatherings and monitor children closely for respiratory symptoms. RSV is the leading cause of pneumonia among children under five, she said, adding that if a child has a persistent cough or wheezing, parents should seek medical attention.

(By Gong Weiwei)