Health officials say the number of people in the United States infected with a highly contagious seasonal respiratory virus that can pose a serious risk to pregnant women and those with blood disorders.
Parvovirus B19 The new coronavirus is spread through droplets from people with symptoms or who are asymptomatic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a broad warning to medical workers, health agencies and the public on Tuesday, saying the virus appears to be spreading this summer, based on a range of evidence, plasma samples and anecdotal reports.
the caveatCDC officials said the percentage of people testing positive for antibodies, an indicator of recent infection, rose across all age groups to 10% in June, up from less than 3% of people with immunity in 2022 and early 2024. The largest increase was seen among children ages 5 to 9. In plasma donors, samples showed the prevalence of viral DNA jumped from 1.5% in December to 19.9% in June. The CDC noted increased reports of complications among pregnant women and people with sickle cell disease. In Europe, more than a dozen countries saw “unusually high numbers of cases” of parvovirus B19 in the first quarter of 2024, according to a CDC warning.
Parvovirus B19 is highly contagious. According to the CDC, half of those exposed in a single household may become infected. In schools, similar numbers are seen among students and staff as infections spread. Most infections are mild. Symptoms include fever, headache, cough, and sore throat, according to the CDC. A common sign is a fever and flu-like symptoms followed by a red, “slapped cheek” rash in children. Adults may develop pain and swollen joints that usually last for one to three weeks.
Parvovirus B19 can cause a severe drop in blood cell counts, or anemia, in people with blood disorders or a weakened immune system. Those at higher risk include those with leukemia and other cancers, organ transplant patients, people with HIV infection, and people with blood disorders such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia. Severe outcomes are rare. Severe outcomes can include myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and hepatitis.
Pregnant women can pass the virus to their baby and, in rare cases, can cause a miscarriage.
Parvovirus B19 is not routinely monitored or notifiable in the United States. There is no vaccine or recommended treatment. Infection is thought to confer lifelong immunity, but Mayo Clinic “Washing your hands, not touching your face and avoiding sharing food can help prevent infection. As with other respiratory illnesses, wearing a mask can also reduce the risk of spread.”
