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South Australia – increase in RSV cases prompts hand washing call
Jul
Warning that hand hygiene is less of a priority than it should be
The number of cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are rising at an alarming rate across Australia, with the situation in South Australia being described as “particularly bad” in a recent article on the Body and Soul website provided by news.com.au.
The report reveals that RSV, although symptoms often in the beginning seem like a common cold, they can sometimes worsen to the extent that hospital treatment may become necessary. Young children and the elderly, as well as people who are immunosuppressive, are particularly at risk writes Penelope Clifton.
The article quotes worrying statistics when it comes to children under five, reporting that the illness causes estimated occurrences of “3.2 million hospital admissions and 118,200 deaths globally”.
Prevention – the need for soap and water
The rapid increase of cases of RSV are due in part to the fact that many Aussies “have become lax with the hand-washing”. The key to controlling the illness spread is focused on by a UniSA epidemiologist Adrian Esterman, who is also quoted in the report.
‘”The way you prevent RSV is the same way you prevent influenza and COVID, that means washing your hands, it means keeping your kids at home if they’re feeling sick…and of course, a lot of people have stopped doing these things now,” hence the case explosion.’
The alarm caused by rising cases is driven by the fact that while states across Australia have reported a fourfold increase in the first half of the year when compared to the same period a year ago, SA’s are even worse.
“To give you some scope, the state reported 3,926 cases of RSV in the first half of 2023, compared to 539 cases over the same period of 2022.”
Why RSV cases are rising around Australia right now »
Teal portable hand wash units – place them wherever they’re needed!
There are vehicle mounted, wall mounted, mains powered and free standing hand wash stations as well as mobile sinks for use with pre-heated hot water.
The image above shows (from left to right)) the MediWash, the HandSpa and the KiddiSynk.
The Teal range of mobile sinks includes the MediWash, Hygienius and Hygienius ProWash, BigSynk, Super Stallette, TEALwash, Handeman Xtra, Compact Classic, HandSpa, CliniWash – and now the new WashStand Xtra.
How to choose the correct mobile sink »
Teal’s Australia and New Zealand distributor »
Teal’s representative for Australia and New Zealand is Transplumb, supplier of portable sinks, basins and hand washing stations.