LAS CRUCES − Recent increases in respiratory syncytial virus, commonly known as RSV, across the United States have prompted concerns of a potential "tripledemic" this winter, combining threats from RSV, seasonal flu and COVID-19.

Experts say RSV cases increased earlier than is typical, with data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing a sharp spike in detected cases beginning at the end of August. That coincides with the resumption of in-person schooling across the country as public health precautions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic decrease in practice.

Earlier in the week, Doña Ana County Emergency Manager Stephen Lopez assured county commissioners that, so far, there was no local scarcity of pediatric hospital beds but viruses were clearly active and he had heard anecdotally of absenteeism from public schools for symptoms consistent with flu or RSV.

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