Infants, young children and the elderly, especially those with medical conditions, are at increased risk of severe illness from RSV infection. Each year, the virus causes up to 80,000 hospitalizations and 300 deaths in children under the age of 5, and up to 160,000 hospitalizations and 10,000 deaths in adults over the age of 65, officials estimate. are doing.
increase in cases According to the agency, PCR tests conducted in Florida from the week ending July 22 confirmed the infection. Georgia observed an increase in RSV-related hospitalizations among children and infants.
“Historically, such regional increases have predicted the onset of RSV epidemics nationwide, with increased RSV activity spreading north and west over the next few months,” said the CDC. said.
The respiratory syncytial virus epidemic season typically begins in the fall and peaks in the winter, but coronavirus precautions during the pandemic have disrupted this pattern, officials said. Last year, RSV activity began in the summer, peaked in October and November, and declined in the winter, the report said.
The virus is mainly spread through droplets when people cough or sneeze or through direct contact with contaminated surfaces, officials said.
For people aged 60 and over, doctors should recommend a single dose of one of the two RSV vaccines approved this year, Pfizer’s Abrysvo and GSK’s Arexvy, the CDC said. . CDC recommends people in that age group talk to their doctor about the benefits and risks of vaccination.
Last month, the Food and Drug Administration approved Abrysvo for use in pregnant women to protect infants from severe cases of RSV.
Nilsevimab (Bayfortus), a monoclonal antibody designed to protect infants from RSV, was approved in July. The CDC said Tuesday that all infants “born during or entering their first RSV season” under 8 months of age should receive a single treatment, while they are at increased risk of severe RSV disease. It recommended that infants and children aged 1-19 months should receive a single dose. Administer once before or during the second season.
The CDC said the vaccine is expected to be available in early October, adding that “it may not be immediately available in all maternity hospitals and primary care settings this RSV season.”
