Ventura County sees early RSV appearance again in 2023 as flu emerges too

A respiratory virus that is most dangerous for infants and the elderly has made an early appearance in parts of Ventura County for the second straight year, bringing calls for vaccinations against it and other winter illnesses.

Respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV, has triggered emergency room visits to to some area hospitals and boosted admissions at one of the county’s two pediatric wards, doctors said. The virus usually peaks in January but surfaced in October as it did a year ago when it teamed with influenza and COVID-19 to fill pediatric beds.

That hasn’t happened yet. But flu is emerging. Both Ventura and Los Angeles County confirmed their first flu deaths of the season this month and doctors said they are beginning to see patients with the virus.

Levels of the coronavirus remain low, but its presence was verified in an email last week from an urgent care physician asked to assess winter viruses.

“I’m currently out for COVID,” the doctor said.

RSV is a common condition that causes cold-like symptoms. It goes away on its own for many people but can bring severe illness to infants, seniors and people with compromised immunities.

This year, babies and older children with weakened immunities started being admitted with the virus in October at the Ventura County Medical Center in Ventura, months earlier than most years. Admissions have not climbed as high as they did last year. Doctors say they don't know when the peak will come.

Elsewhere in the county, cases have been sporadic, with some emergency rooms seeing more than usual and others saying they are still only seeing a trickle. Public health officials say there’s no way to predict what’s to come.

“Flu and RSV could be anywhere on the map,” said Dr. Robert Levin, county health officer.

The call for vaccinations is complicated by a national shortage of Beyfortus, an RSV immunization approved earlier this year for infants and some young children. Officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have asked the medication be saved for infants born prematurely and other babies at highest risk.

Some doctors said the shortage means they can’t administer any of the preventive medication.

“I don’t have any stock in my office,” said Dr. Carey Chronis, a Ventura pediatrician. “I can’t even order it.”

The shortage has pushed Ventura County public health officials to urge pregnant women to protect fetuses by getting vaccinated with Abrysvo, one of two adult vaccines approved in the past year. The shot is recommended for women between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy.

Abrysvo and a vaccine called Arexvy are also available for people 60 and older. Levin said people who qualify should ask their doctors if they need the shot. Pregnant women, he said, should go a step farther.

“Tell your doctor you want to get it,” Levin said. He also pushed people to get vaccinated for flu and to get either initial or booster shots for COVID.

Flu levels are low but are increasing across the state. In Ventura County, Levin said a person died of the virus in November but offered no details because of privacy laws. Los Angeles County Public Health officials announced its first flu death of the season last week in an elderly person with more than one co-existing condition.

Flu vaccines are available at doctor’s offices, pharmacies and flu clinics across the county.

COVID levels in the county remain low. Levin said cases could increase but he is hopeful the rise will be less than last year’s surge.

California Department of Public Health officials recommend several precautions during the holidays:

• Stay up to date on vaccines.

• Stay home if sick.

• Use COVID-19 home tests if symptoms emerge.

• Consider wearing masks in indoor public places.

• Wash hands frequently.

• Cover nose and mouth for coughs and sneezes.

Levin continues to push vaccinations. But he’s reluctant to offer additional advice, noting people have learned how to make their choices in dealing with viral illnesses.

“For the vast majority of the population, it would be futile for me to recommend any kind of thing,” he said.

Tom Kisken covers health care and other news for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at tom.kisken@vcstar.com or 805-437-0255.

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This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Ventura County calls for vaccinations as RSV, flu emerge