September 6, 2023 – A spike in respiratory syncytial virus cases in Florida and Georgia signals that RSV season has begun.
The CDC has issued a national one alarm On Tuesday, he addressed health authorities, urging them to supply latest drugs that may prevent severe cases of the respiratory virus in very young children and the elderly. These two groups are at highest risk of probably fatal complications from RSV.
Typically, the CDC considers RSV season to start when the speed of positive tests for the virus is above 3% for 2 consecutive weeks. In Florida, the speed has been around 5% in recent weeks, and Georgia has seen a rise in RSV-related hospitalizations. Most hospitalizations in Georgia involved infants under one yr old.
“Historically, such regional surges have predicted the start of the RSV season nationally, with increased RSV activity spreading north and west over the following two to three months,” the CDC said.
One of the complications of RSV is bronchiolitis, which involves narrowing of the small airways within the lungs resulting from swelling. Bronchiolitis causes wheezing. Most children are infected with RSV by the age of two. Historically, as much as 80,000 children under 5 are hospitalized annually resulting from the virus, and between 100 and 300 die annually because of this of complications.
Those numbers may very well be drastically different this yr as latest preventative treatments turn into available.
The CDC recommends that every one children younger than 8 months receive the newly approved monoclonal antibody treatment nirsevimab (Beyfortus). Children as much as 19 months of age who’re at high risk of great complications from RSV are also eligible for the single-dose vaccination. The treatment was carried out in clinical trials 80% effective The aim is to forestall RSV infections from becoming so serious that children have to be hospitalized. The protection lasted about 5 months.
Older individuals are also at increased risk of great RSV disease. There are two latest vaccines available this season. The vaccines are called Arexvy and Abrysvo and the single-dose vaccinations are approved for people aged 60 and over. They are greater than 80% effective and reduce the danger of great lower respiratory complications.
Last yr's RSV season began in the summertime and peaked in October and November, sooner than usual. There isn’t any indication yet as to when the RSV season might peak this yr. Last yr and throughout the pandemic, RSV maintained its historical pattern and launched in Florida.