The Chief Medical Officer has urged parents to keep children away from school and childcare facilities if they show any new symptoms of the disease.
Professor Breda Smyth said parents should care for others when their children are down.
In a statement this morning, she said they are experiencing high levels of flu and Covid-19, adding that while RSV cases appear to be on the decline, the three respiratory viruses were responsible for more than 1,200 hospitalizations last week.
This is putting “significant pressure” on health care resources, she said, especially hospital emergency rooms and primary care physicians.
Because winter viruses spread easily from person to person, Prof. Smyth urged people to wash their hands and wear face coverings on public transport and in crowded places.
She also advised anyone with new flu-like symptoms to stay home.
“As schools and childcare facilities reopen after the Christmas break, I am urging parents to be vigilant for symptoms of respiratory viruses in children,” she said, reports RTE.
Prof Smyth said that while the vast majority of respiratory illnesses can be treated at home with over-the-counter medicines, parents should trust their instincts and consult a doctor if necessary.
She said this year’s flu season “has not yet peaked” and that there’s still time for people to take advantage of a vaccine.
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