Operations at some pediatric intensive care units are being postponed because of an influx of babies with the respiratory syncytial (RS) virus, broadcaster NOS reported on Thursday

All seven pediatric ICs, comprising 90 beds in total, are currently nearing capacity, with RS patients taking up around half of them, NOS said. RS can cause inflammation of the airways and acute bronchiolitis in infants and is the second biggest cause of baby deaths worldwide, after malaria.

“The situation is challenging but care is guaranteed,” pediatric care association chairwoman Lissy de Ridder said. “Pediatricians across the country are working together to coordinate hospitalisations and in some regions hospitals across the border are involved although numbers there are rising as well,” she said.

Operations on other children are being postponed and patients are being transferred to other hospitals to try to free up space. “It’s a difficult choice to make but it’s the only way we can make sure every child gets the care they need,” De Ridder said.

The current outbreak may be the last one, De Ridder said. An RS virus vaccination will be added to the list of childhood vaccinations in the autumn. It is expected to prevent 80% of hospitalisations.

The take-up rate for child vaccinations has been declining over the years although the rate for babies remains stable.

“Please, let your babies be vaccinated. It’s safe and prevents much suffering,” De Ridder said.