Like the rest of the country, Maui is also seeing a spike in respiratory syncytial virus cases which have also come earlier than normal this year.

Maui Health spokeswoman Tracy Dallarda said Thursday afternoon that Maui Memorial Medical Center “has experienced a notable spike in RSV since the beginning of September.”

“We normally see cases at MMMC in December however this year has been different. We have seen earlier cases and an increase, very consistent with what is occurring across the nation,” Dallarda added.

RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but children under the age of five, and in particular infants, are at highest risk for severe RSV infection, according to the state Department of Health. Older adults, especially those with underlying medical conditions, can also experience severe illness.

Late last month, the Associated Press reported that children’s hospitals in parts of the U.S. were seeing a surge in common respiratory illness that can cause severe breathing problems for babies.

RSV cases fell dramatically two years ago as the pandemic shut down schools, day cares and businesses. With restrictions easing in the summer of 2021, doctors saw an alarming increase in what is normally a fall and winter virus.

On Thursday, the state Department of Health held an online media availability with State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble discussing RSV rates in Hawaii which are similar to trends being reported nationally.

“Many respiratory viruses are circulating in our community, including RSV, COVID-19, and influenza,” said Kemble in a news release. “We urge all eligible individuals to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza and take simple preventive measures that stop the spread of respiratory viruses.”

Kemble said she does not believe there have been any deaths in Hawaii due to RSV this year, but there have been some hospitalizations and some patients in the intensive care unit.

“There are some kids that get very sick,” she added.

DOH Disease Investigation Branch Chief Caroline Pratt told media outlets that most people will recover at home. But a “small number of cases” of the very young or old that may have other medical conditions may end up in the hospital to support their breathing.

At Maui Memorial Medical Center, they began to see the uptick in September with 22 positive RSV cases, all in those younger than a year old. There were four RSV cases that were admitted to the hospital in September.

In comparison, last year, the uptick was in December with 30 positive RSV cases.

But this past October, the hospital saw a high of 100 positive cases, with 13 of those cases admitted to the hospital.

In October there were 12 positive cases in those younger than 1 year old, 64 positive cases in those between 1 and 5 years old, nine cases in those ages 6 to 15 years old and 15 cases in those older than 16 years old.

From Nov. 1 to 9, there was a total of 63 positive cases.

There were 17 positive cases in those younger than a year, 31 cases for those 1 to 5 years old, eight cases in those ages 6 to 15 years old and seven cases in those older than 16 years.

So far this month, there have been five cases admitted to the hospital.

Dallarda said the hospital has been able to accommodate the cases as there have not been many that have been admitted.

According to the DOH this year’s total testing volume (positive and negative tests) and percent positivity are both increasing quickly early in the season.

RSV cases typically increase in the fall and peak in winter.

Out of an average of 1,858 RSV tests performed per week statewide in recent weeks, 23 percent were positive. This indicates there is a high level of both detected and undetected RSV infection in the community.

The DOH said that influenza activity in Hawaii remains low but is increasing. Out of 3,886 specimens tested for influenza statewide in the week of October 16 to 22, 5.8 percent were positive. During a similar time frame, statewide COVID-19 test positivity was 6.4 percent out of 14,927 tests performed. COVID-19 test positivity declined to 5.3 percent in the current week.

“Even though our numbers are high, they are consistent with the western region of the Mainland,” Pratt said overall about RSV. “Case numbers rose earlier on the East Coast and they are already beginning to come down there, so hopefully that’s going to happen in the West Coast and in Hawaii as well.”

People concerned about the flu or other respiratory viruses can take preventive measures such as staying away from others who are sick, staying home if they’re sick, washing their hands, covering their cough, and wearing a mask, the DOH said.

DOH recommends flu shots for individuals six months and older. COVID-19 vaccinations are recommended for everyone six months and older and COVID-19 bivalent boosters are recommended for everyone age five and older.

COVID-19 vaccinations and bivalent boosters can be scheduled through providers found at Hawaii COVID19.com/vaccine. Many providers and pharmacies allow the scheduling of flu shots when scheduling your COVID-19 vaccines or boosters, according to the DOH.

* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.