Low levels of respiratory syncytial virus activity in Europe during the 2020/21 season: what can we expect in the coming summer and autumn/winter?

Since the introduction of non-pharmacological interventions to control COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity in Europe has been limited. Surveillance data for 17 countries showed delayed RSV epidemics in France (≥ 12 w) and Iceland (≥ 4 w) during the 2020/21 season. RSV cases (predominantly small children) in France and Iceland were older compared with previous seasons. We hypothesise that future RSV epidemic(s) could start outside the usual autumn/winter season and be larger than expected. Year-round surveillance of RSV is of critical importance.

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Compounds with anti-respiratory syncytial virus activity from endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis thea

Planta Medica ◽

10.1055/s-0036-1596735 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 81 (S 01) ◽

pp. S1-S381

Author(s):

PF Uzor ◽

DC Odimegwu ◽

W Ebrahim ◽

PO Osadebe ◽

NJ Nwodo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Endophytic Fungus ◽

Virus Activity ◽

Syncytial Virus

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Seasonal Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prophylaxis Based on Predetermined Dates Versus Regional Surveillance Data

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal ◽

10.1097/inf.0b013e31829479d3 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 32 (9) ◽

pp. e360-e364 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Bosco A. Paes ◽

Carole Craig ◽

Wendy Pigott ◽

Andrew Latchman

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Surveillance Data ◽

Syncytial Virus ◽

Regional Surveillance

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Use of the moving epidemic method (MEM) to assess national surveillance data for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in the Netherlands, 2005 to 2017

Eurosurveillance ◽

10.2807/1560-7917.es.2019.24.20.1800469 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (20) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Laura M Vos ◽

Anne C Teirlinck ◽

José E Lozano ◽

Tomás Vega ◽

Gé A Donker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

The Netherlands ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Laboratory Data ◽

Age Distribution ◽

Age Groups ◽

Surveillance Data ◽

Cumulative Number ◽

Laboratory Surveillance ◽

Syncytial Virus

Background To control respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes acute respiratory infections, data and methods to assess its epidemiology are important. Aim We sought to describe RSV seasonality, affected age groups and RSV-type distribution over 12 consecutive seasons in the Netherlands, as well as to validate the moving epidemic method (MEM) for monitoring RSV epidemics. Methods We used 2005−17 laboratory surveillance data and sentinel data. For RSV seasonality evaluation, epidemic thresholds (i) at 1.2% of the cumulative number of RSV-positive patients per season and (ii) at 20 detections per week (for laboratory data) were employed. We also assessed MEM thresholds. Results In laboratory data RSV was reported 25,491 times (no denominator). In sentinel data 5.6% (767/13,577) of specimens tested RSV positive. Over 12 seasons, sentinel data showed percentage increases of RSV positive samples. The average epidemic length was 18.0 weeks (95% confidence intervals (CI): 16.3–19.7) and 16.5 weeks (95% CI: 14.0–18.0) for laboratory and sentinel data, respectively. Epidemics started on average in week 46 (95% CI: 45–48) and 47 (95% CI: 46–49), respectively. The peak was on average in the first week of January in both datasets. MEM showed similar results to the other methods. RSV incidence was highest in youngest (0–1 and >1–2 years) and oldest (>65–75 and > 75 years) age groups, with age distribution remaining stable over time. RSV-type dominance alternated every one or two seasons. Conclusions Our findings provide baseline information for immunisation advisory groups. The possibility of employing MEM to monitor RSV epidemics allows prospective, nearly real-time use of surveillance data.

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