DES MOINES, Iowa — UnityPoint Health Blank Children’s Hospital is experiencing an uptick in cases of RSV and winter illnesses, however, the case numbers for RSV are drastically lower than in years past.

Blank Children’s Hospital is reporting an 80% decrease in the number of RSV cases it has seen between the fall of 2023 and the fall of 2024.

Dr. Amy Groen, a ER Physician at Blank Children’s Hospital, said that the decrease in RSV cases is likely due to a new treatment for RSV called Beyfortus.

“This year has been a positive shift for us. And I think it’s probably due to the Beyfortus this vaccine that kids are now able to get. We classify it as a vaccine, but it’s a monoclonal antibody that they can get in the fall preceding the RSV season. So the babies can get it, moms can get it in place of the baby while they’re still pregnant. And so it’s last year we didn’t have product. This year we have product. People are getting it and we’re definitely seeing a decrease in hospitalizations for sure from the cases,” Dr. Groen said.

However, Dr. Groen is still seeing a rise in patients suffering from winter illnesses like the flu and RSV.

“In the winter here in the Blank ED, we usually run volumes 30 to 40% over our like our normal volumes and we’re at that right now,” Dr. Groen said.

Dr. Groen recommends washing your hands, staying home when sick, and getting a flu shot to protect yourself from winter illnesses.