Warning over virus dangerous to newborns and elderly after surge in Australia
And following a surge in cases number of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases in Australia, officials have said that cases have been steadily increasing in England since the start of 2025.
NHS England has urged pregnant women to get the vaccine which protects against RSV in order to protect their newborn babies.
What is RSV? 💭
It's a respiratory virus that can cause serious illness in the elderly & young children.
If a woman has the vaccination during pregnancy, it cuts the risk of serious lung infection caused by #RSV in her baby's first 6 months
Read more: https://t.co/xiZHJPt8Dv pic.twitter.com/qfrclhNsWV
— UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) August 4, 2025
It said that the virus is a leading cause of death among babies and the main cause of hospital admissions for children.
Kate Brintworth, chief midwifery officer for NHS England, said: 'While for most adults RSV only causes mild, cold-like symptoms, for older adults and young children it can lead to serious breathing problems that can end up in hospitalisation.
'Getting vaccinated while pregnant is the best way to protect your baby from the moment they are born, and now is the time for mums to act, to make sure their babies are protected ahead of their first few months this winter, when there tends to be more bugs circulating.'
Pregnant women can get the jab from 28 weeks of pregnancy onwards through their maternity services or GP surgery.
Getting vaccinated when you're #pregnant helps protect you and your #baby from illnesses, including #WhoopingCough & #RSV. Visit the NHS website to learn more. 💖
✨🔗 https://t.co/nChNqfozC2 pic.twitter.com/0MJ0kVCYiI
— UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) August 1, 2025
Older adults aged 75-79 are also eligible for the jab and NHS England will start inviting people to come forward in the next few weeks.
RSV is a common cause of coughs and colds.
But some people have a high risk of getting seriously ill from the virus including babies and adults over the age of 75.
In babies, RSV is a common cause of a type of chest infection called bronchiolitis.
Last week, the UK Health Security Agency published data showing the efficacy of the vaccine.
It said that the jab for pregnant women can prevent 72% of hospital admissions for their babies.
And the vaccine is 82% effective at preventing hospital admissions for RSV among older adults, UKHSA said.
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The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
NHS issues vaccination warning for pregnant women over dangerous virus currently surging in Australia
Expectant mothers and people over 75 are being urged to get vaccinated against a potentially deadly virus following a record number of cases in Australia. Health chiefs say the Australian winter often predicts how viruses will spread in the UK, and already this year cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have steadily risen in many areas. The virus, which is a common cause of coughs and colds, may also cause a chest infection called bronchiolitis. Some people have a high risk of becoming seriously ill with it, including babies and adults over 75. According to NHS England, RSV is a leading cause of infant deaths worldwide and a main cause of children being taken into hospital. Last winter, almost 7,000 bed days in England were taken up by children with RSV. NHS England is encouraging pregnant women to get a jab that protects against RSV so their babies are protected after birth. Kate Brintworth, chief midwifery officer for NHS England, said: 'While for most adults RSV only causes mild, cold-like symptoms, for older adults and young children it can lead to serious breathing problems that can end up in hospitalisation. 'Getting vaccinated while pregnant is the best way to protect your baby from the moment they are born, and now is the time for mums to act, to make sure their babies are protected ahead of their first few months this winter, when there tends to be more bugs circulating.' Yusra Osman says that when her son, Zakariya, was three months old, he developed bronchiolitis from the virus. He had a fever and was gasping for breath. The 34-year-old, from north London, said: 'Everything was a blur, but I remember his chest was caving in and out and he was really struggling to catch his breath.' Nurses found her son's oxygen levels were dangerously low. Ms Osman, a student midwife, said: 'That was one of those things you don't want to hear as a mum. He was crying, and we kept trying to put an oxygen mask on, but he was fighting to get it off and didn't want to be touched.' Zakariya, who is now seven, needed oxygen and a feeding tube in hospital. 'It's a mum's worst nightmare. Had the RSV vaccine been available then, I'd definitely have had it,' Ms Osman said. The RSV vaccine was offered to pregnant women in England for the first time last September and health officials say it has since helped to protect more than 300,000 mothers and babies. Pregnant mothers from 28 weeks onwards are eligible, as are adults aged 75 to 79. In the coming weeks, NHS England is set to invite more than a million people to have a jab, before the season for infections, which starts in October. Greta Hayward, consultant midwife at the UK Health Security Agency, said babies born in late summer or the autumn are most likely to be admitted to hospital with the virus. 'Hundreds of babies attend emergency departments each day for bronchiolitis through most of November and December,' she said.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Health officials tell UK to brace for surge of virus that is the leading cause of death in newborns
Britons have been warned to brace themselves for an upsurge in cases of a deadly lung infection amid a global rise. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which can be deadly for young children and the elderly, flares up every autumn in the UK—just like the flu. But official surveillance data shows Australia has already logged a record number of cases this year. NHS chiefs believe the Australian winter is a good predictor of how viruses will spread in the UK. Spread by coughs and sneezes, it hospitalises around 30,000 children and 18,000 adults in the UK every year, due to serious breathing complications like pneumonia and lung infections. It said that the virus is a leading cause of death among babies. Around 20 to 30 children die from the virus each winter. It's also estimated to contribute to the deaths of 8,000 adults over the same period, due to the increased strain the infection puts on patient's hearts, causing the organ to fail. Officials have now urged pregnant women and those eligible to get the RSV vaccine. Kate Brintworth, chief midwifery officer for NHS England, said: 'While for most adults RSV only causes mild, cold-like symptoms, for older adults and young children it can lead to serious breathing problems that can end up in hospitalisation. 'Getting vaccinated while pregnant is the best way to protect your baby from the moment they are born. 'Now is the time for mums to act, to make sure their babies are protected ahead of their first few months this winter, when there tends to be more bugs circulating.' Last week, data published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also showed the jab for pregnant women can prevent almost three quarters (72 per cent) of hospital admissions for their babies. The antibodies the mums produce in response to the jab are passed to their babies in the womb, protecting them for the first six months after being born. Meanwhile, the vaccine is 82 per cent effective at preventing hospital admissions for RSV among older adults, the UKHSA noted. Pregnant women can get the jab from 28 weeks of pregnancy onwards through their maternity services or GP surgery. Older adults aged 75-79 are also eligible for the jab and NHS England will start inviting people to come forward in the next few weeks. The NHS's jab rollout comes as part of its winter vaccine plans, which also includes Covid and flu vaccines. The lung condition spreads by large droplets and the virus can survive on surfaces for up to seven hours. Children remain infectious for up to three weeks, even after their symptoms have passed. Higher risk babies can receive the nirsevimab vaccine from September—with the single jab replacing five monthly injections previously given to infants classed as being at high risk.
Daily Mail
8 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Urgent warning as three brands of wet-wipes are found to be riddled with life-threatening bacteria - contamination has triggered infection in 51 people
Health chiefs have urged Britons to check their first aid kits for three brands of skin cleansing wipes linked to an outbreak of life-threatening bacteria. It comes after an investigation by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) found the non-sterile wipes to be contaminated with Burkholderia stabilis bacteria. Officials have confirmed 51 people have been affected by the outbreak in the UK between 2018 and 2025. The bacteria has not caused any deaths so far but the UKHSA said 'there have been some serious infections which have required hospital treatment.' This type of bacteria doesn't tend to affect the general population, but can infect those with compromised immune systems and cystic fibrosis. It is also more likely to infect people who use the wipes when preparing an intravenous (IV) line—which administers medications and fluids—at home. They believe the cases are likely linked to three particular skin wipe brands that are alcohol-free and not marketed as 'sterile'. These include ValueAid Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes, Microsafe Moist Wipe Alcohol Free and Steroplast Sterowipe Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes. Their tests also revealed another brand, Reliwipe Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes, were contaminated, but not with the Burkholderia strain linked to the outbreak. These products, which may have been used for 'skin cleansing' and cleaning around wounds, have been pulled from shelves but may still be in first aid kits, they warned. In rare cases, if it causes a serious bloodstream infection, Burkholderia stabilis bacteria can be life threatening. If anyone has bought the named wipes, the UKHSA has urged them to bin them in their household waste as a precautionary measure. Meanwhile, if you have used the wipes, they said you do not need to seek medical advice unless you have certain symptoms. These include a wound or break in skin with redness, swelling, increased pain, warmth around it, pus or other drainage. Similarly, you should do so if you have an infection involving an IV line with redness, swelling, or pain around the insertion site and or fevers and chills. Going forward, they have advised people to only use wipes labelled as 'sterile' on broken skin such as wounds, scratches, or where you can see blood. They have also warned people to check the wipes in their first aid kits which are marked as 'sterile', ensuring that the packaging is not damaged, and the products are in date. If any are damaged or are past their expiry date, they urged people to dispose of them in their household waste. And if you manage an IV line yourself at home, they advise only using wipes if and as instructed by your medical team. They added that other non-sterile, alcohol-free wipes, although not included in the alert, shouldn't be used to treat injuries, cut and broken skin as 'their safety cannot be guaranteed'. Dr James Elston, consultant in epidemiology and public health at UKHSA, said: 'While the overall risk to the public remains very low, a number of non-sterile alcohol-free wipe products have been linked to an outbreak of Burkholderia stabilis. 'It is important these types of wipes are not used for the treatment of injuries, wounds, or broken skin, and that they are not used to clean intravenous lines.' Meanwhile, Dr Cave, chief safety officer of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency added: 'We consider wipes which are intended for a medical purpose to be medicines. 'These products do not have a medicines authorisation. 'Anyone who has used alcohol-free wipes and has concerns about potential infection is advised to speak with a healthcare professional.' This bacteria is different to the deadly Burkholderia pseudomallei that kills up to 50 per cent of people it infects and is now listed as an endemic along the US gulf coast. Experts have said the more deadly bacteria is lurking in soil and stagnant water across the 1,600 miles from Texas to Florida. Those suffering with Burkholderia pseudomallei can develop pneumonia and sepsis which can be fatal.
