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?

Euro Surveill. 2021 Jul;26(29). doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2021.26.29.2100639.ABSTRACTSince 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.PMID:34296672 | DOI:10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2021.26.29.2100639

Source: Euro Surveill - July 23, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Jojanneke van Summeren Adam Meijer Gu ðrún Aspelund Jean Sebastien Casalegno Gu ðrún Erna Uy Hoang Bruno Lina VRS study group in Lyon Simon de Lusignan Anne C Teirlinck Valt ýr Thors John Paget Source Type: research