A public health specialist with the HSE West says GP's and hospitals continue to see a rise in the numbers of young children affected by the RSV respiratory virus.
The virus is common every year but it's likely that children under 2 have less immunity because they may not have contracted it during the Covid pandemic when people were social distancing.
James O' Connell says parents of young children under 2 who are concerned about their children need to keep a close eye on them and check they're not becoming dehydrated or running a high temperature.
"For young children it might just be about keeping them hydrated, that they're getting their feeds, and keeping a close eye on them, checking their nappies to see if they're wet and just ensuring they get enough sleep, that they're not too irritable or lethargic".
