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With a massive surge in RSV and Flu combination cases health professionals are asking for an emergency to be declared to help combat the rise in cases.

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There is a massive nationwide surge of RSV cases in children that is causing rising levels of alarm among medical professionals and parents alike.

Just the news reported. Leading pediatric medical professionals are asking President Joe Biden and the Department of Health and Human Services to declare an emergency over the surge of respiratory illnesses in children, including the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza. The medical groups argued that they “need emergency funding support and flexibilities along the same lines of what was provided to respond to COVID surges.”

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A letter was sent to President Biden asking for an emergency response.

AAp stated in a letter to President Biden.   On Monday, Nov. 14, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) sent a letter to President Biden and Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra asking to declare an emergency to support a national response to the alarming surge of pediatric respiratory illnesses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza, along with the continuing children’s mental health emergency.

Significant capacity issues in pediatric hospitals and communities require flexibilities that can only be provided through a formal emergency declaration by the President and the HHS Secretary. These flexibilities have been provided during COVID-19 and were critical during peaks in infections and ongoing fluctuations of the virus. Children’s providers require the same capacity support as they strive to keep up with increasing needs of infants, children and adolescents.

The letter also calls on the administration to mitigate the supply, equipment and drug shortages that also threaten the ability to provide consistent and reliable care for pediatric patients.

This is quite scary stuff, since school started there has been reports of RSV circulating with numerous school districts across the country sending out alerts for parents to keep an eye on symptoms. One thing is for certain, given the over-reach that occurred last time it cannot be a model going forward on how to handle crisis situations. But, the American Association of Pediatrics is correct in asking that assistance be given due to the number of hospitalizations that are occuring nationwide. 

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