More people in the Netherlands are infected with the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This virus is mainly seen in winter. Most adults with RSV only have a nasal cold. However, babies under 12 months can become very ill. Some hospitals have already admitted young children with RSV. RIVM is asking doctors to be alert to babies and young children who have relevant symptoms.
Laboratories in the Netherlands give RIVM weekly updates on the viruses currently circulating here. The number of RSV infections has been rising in recent weeks. People with RSV are also contacting their GP. And some of the people participating in the Infection Radar survey who report having respiratory symptoms have also turned out to have RSV.
Be alert to symptoms
The most common symptoms of RSV are a nasal cold and coughing. Most people who become ill from RSV recover within a week. But babies and young children can sometimes develop shortness of breath and could get pneumonia. About 1 in 100 babies with RSV end up in hospital, and 1 in 1000 are placed in ICU. Older people can also become very ill from RSV. RIVM asks doctors to be alert to possible RSV infections, so people can receive the proper care in time.
Parents of young children are also advised to be alert for symptoms in their babies. Consult your GP if a young baby under 3 months has a fever, or if your baby is not drinking well. Contact your GP immediately if your child is breathing rapidly or wheezing, or briefly stops breathing. Also call immediately if your baby becomes lethargic. More information about RSV symptoms in young children is available on Thuisarts.nl (in Dutch).
RSV in the context of pregnancy and birth
Besides the general recommendations to limit the spread of respiratory infections, these specific recommendations apply to RSV:
- In the final weeks of your pregnancy, avoid contact with people who are coughing or sniffling.
- Keep your baby away from people who are coughing or sniffling.
- Do not let people visit you and your baby in the first couple weeks after birth unless they are not coughing or sneezing.
- Only visit new parents and their newborn baby if you are not coughing or sniffling.
RSV vaccination for babies
Babies can be protected against RSV with an RSV antibody injection. The Health Council of the Netherlands advised offering the RSV antibody injection to all babies in the Netherlands during their first twelve months of life, free of charge. The State Secretary of Health, Welfare and Sport adopted that advisory opinion. The aim is to include this form of immunisation against RSV in the National Immunisation Programme from autumn 2025 on. The RSV antibody injection is not yet available in the Netherlands.
There is also a vaccination against RSV during pregnancy. This option is available in the Netherlands. Pregnant people with a due date before March 2025 may consider getting an RSV vaccination, since the RSV season is usually from November to March. The RSV vaccination during pregnancy protects babies against RSV as soon as they are born and lasts until they are about 6 months old. You will need to pay for the RSV vaccination during pregnancy yourself. To arrange RSV vaccination, please contact your GP or the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs).