Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Statutory notification alert

• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection was made a notifiable infectious disease in Western Australia in July 2021.
• See notifiable communicable disease case definitions (Word 1.29MB).
• Notifications should be made using the infectious disease notification form for metropolitan residents (PDF 214KB) or regional residents (PDF 213KB).
• See statutory medical notifications in Western Australia.

Public health management

Important information

• Infectious agent: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
• Transmission: RSV is highly infectious. It can spread through respiratory droplets containing the virus when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes. It can spread through touching items or surfaces, and hands which are contaminated with infected droplets and then touching your nose or eyes
• Incubation period: Usually 5 days, can range from 2 to 8 days.
• Infectious period: People with RSV can be infectious from just before symptoms start until recovery, which is usually up to 10 days after symptom onset.
• Case exclusion: Recommend cases exclude themselves, particularly from childcare, preschool, school, and work until they are well.
• Contact exclusion: Do not exclude.
• Treatment: Generally bed rest and symptomatic treatment.
• Immunisation: Funded through the RSV infant immunisation program.
• Case follow-up: May be conducted by public health units and the Communicable Disease Control Directorate as required.

Guidelines

• Communicable Disease Guidelines for teachers, childcare workers, local government authorities and medical practitioners

Notifiable disease data and reports

• Notifiable infectious disease dashboard
• Statewide notifiable diseases weekly report
• General infectious disease reports