NH Health Dept Launches RSV School Campaign Amid Child Surge

CONCORD, N.H. — The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services kicked off a public awareness campaign this week targeting surging respiratory syncytial virus infections in schools across the state. Initially flagged by New Hampshire Public Radio, the initiative addresses an unusual early spike among school-aged children, with positivity rates reaching 25% in October tests—far above typical seasonal starts. State Epidemiologist Benjamin Chan emphasized handwashing, masking in crowds and staying home when sick as core defenses, especially in districts like Manchester and Concord where emergency room visits for respiratory issues have climbed.

DHHS data shows RSV levels, while very low and stable overall as of the latest respiratory virus update, are stirring concern in pediatric wards statewide. Hospitals from Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon to Elliot Hospital in Manchester reported more child admissions earlier this season, mirroring a national trend where 58,000 to 80,000 kids under 5 are hospitalized yearly from RSV. No confirmed measles cases have surfaced, but flu activity is spreading faster than in past years, complicating the picture.

Prevention takes center stage with new immunizations: infants eligible for monoclonal antibodies from October through March, pregnant residents for Pfizer’s ABRYSVO vaccine September to January, and seniors for GSK, Pfizer or Moderna shots. The New Hampshire Public Health Association urges families to verify insurance coverage and consult providers or pharmacies promptly. Local health officers in Portsmouth and Keene are partnering with schools for parent workshops starting next week to curb transmission in classrooms.