It’s not possible to produce exact comparisons with prior years, because RSV only became a notifiable condition in 2021 in Australia. Nevertheless, the overall number of people infected with RSV is indicating a sharp uptick. Because of COVID, the technology and the ability to test for RSV with swabs is now more widespread. Doctors are aware that, given the complications that an epidemic of RSV could cause, it’s important to identify the virus within 24 hours.