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 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 doubtless 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 12 months 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 on account of 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 on account of the virus, and between 100 and 300 die annually consequently of complications.
Those numbers could possibly be drastically different this 12 months as latest preventative treatments develop into available.
The CDC recommends that each 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 significant complications from RSV are also eligible for the single-dose vaccine. The treatment was carried out in clinical trials 80% effective The aim is to stop RSV infections from becoming so serious that children should be hospitalized. The protection lasted about 5 months.
Older persons are also at increased risk of severe 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 chance of significant lower respiratory complications.
Last 12 months's RSV season began in the summertime and peaked in October and November, sooner than usual. There continues to be no indication as to when the RSV season might peak this 12 months. Last 12 months and throughout the pandemic, RSV maintained its historical pattern and launched in Florida.