By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

New Zealand is experiencing a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) outbreak across the country. According to data from the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), the numbers of cases started increasing sharply in early June and to date 3,232 cases have been reported through July 18, including the 689 cases reported that week.

According to Resvinet, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of lower respiratory tract infections among young children worldwide. RSV infections occur mostly in yearly epidemic outbreaks. It is highly contagious and spreads through droplets upon coughing or sneezing. Approximately 33.8 million episodes of RSV associated acute lower respiratory infections occur in children worldwide every year. RSV infection causes a worldwide burden of morbidity and mortality and has been presented as the second main cause of death during infancy.