During the COVID‐19 pandemic where has respiratory syncytial virus gone?

Mattia, Greta Di; Nenna, Raffaella; Mancino, Enrica; Rizzo, Valentina; Pierangeli, Alessandra; Villani, Alberto; Midulla, Fabio

doi:10.1002/ppul.25582

Cited by 98 publications

(119 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…In the past, the traditional winter peak of RSV helped to build immunity among the exposed children. During the first post-pandemic season, RSV was effectively prevented by nonpharmaceutical interventions [ 40 ]. Subsequently, the children became immunologically naïve against RSV, and infants did not receive passive immunity from their mothers either.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Influence of COVID-19 on Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus Activities

Mondal

Sinharoy

Gope

2022

Infectious Disease Reports

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Background: Respiratory viral diseases have considerably declined since the COVID-19 outbreak, perhaps through influence by nonpharmaceutical interventions. We conducted a cross-sectional study using the CDC database to compare the pre- vs. post-pandemic flu activity (incidence) between the US states. Our secondary objectives were to estimate the association between flu activity and flu vaccination rates and compare the national trends of flu and RSV activities since the pandemic outbreak. Methods: We estimated the difference between pre-pandemic (April 2019–March 2020) and post-pandemic (April 2020–March 2021) flu activity between individual states using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The association between flu activity and immunization rates was also measured. Finally, parallel time trend graphs for flu and RSV activities were illustrated with a time series modeler. Results: The median (IQR) pre-pandemic flu activity was 4.10 (1.38), higher than the post-pandemic activity (1.38 (0.71)) (p-value < 0.001). There was no difference between pre-pandemic (45.50% (39.10%)) and post-pandemic (45.0% (19.84%)) flu vaccine acceptance (p-value > 0.05). Flu activity and vaccination rates were not associated (p-value > 0.05). Flu activity has declined since the COVID-19 outbreak, while RSV made a strong comeback in June 2021. Conclusion: Flu activity has significantly diminished throughout the pandemic while a sudden upsurge in RSV is a public health concern indicative of possible resurgence of other viruses. Flu vaccine acceptance neither changed during the pandemic nor influenced the diminished Flu activity.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Influence of COVID-19 on Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus Activities

Mondal

Sinharoy

Gope

2022

Infectious Disease Reports

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“…The risk of a potential rebound outbreak of respiratory infection following the easing of lockdown restrictions could cause new dramatic scenarios [ 68 ]. Indeed, some authors hypothesized greater RSV epidemics in the coming seasons due to the re-circulation of RSV within immunologically naïve populations of infants born from mothers who have not reinforced their immunity to the virus [ 69 ].…”

Section: Future Research Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 Lesson for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): Hygiene Works

et al. 2021

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Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in infants worldwide. The global direct medical cost associated with RSV LRTIs reaches billions of dollars, with the highest burden in low–middle-income countries. Many efforts have been devoted to improving its prevention and management, including both non-pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical strategies, often with limited routine use in high-income countries due to high costs. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a dramatic decrease in RSV infections (up to 70–90%) has been reported around the globe, directly related to the implementation of containment measures (face masks, hand hygiene, and social distancing). Primary prevention has demonstrated the highest cost effectiveness ratio in reducing the burden of a respiratory infection such as RSV, never reached before. Thus, we emphasize the importance of non-pharmaceutical preventive hygiene measures that should be implemented and maintained even after the COVID-19 outbreak.

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“…[7] Nonetheless, concerns have been raised about the possibility of consequent epidemics in the years to come. [8] Many studies have also noted significant reductions in primary healthcare services and child healthcare visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. [9] Importantly, in children, the negative impact on the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI (SA)) and the inadvertent increase in vaccine-preventable diseases are of concern.…”

Section: Disproportionately Increased Burden Of Other Infectious Dise...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Children caught in the long shadow of COVID-19

Dangor

Naidoo

Saloojee

et al. 2021

SAJCH

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Despite the more transmissible delta variant being associated with higher rates of COVID-19 in unvaccinated adolescents, children have remained relatively spared from severe disease. Nevertheless, children are indirectly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which threatens to have far-reaching consequences. The effect of disruptions of seasonal patterns of circulation of respiratory pathogens on future immunity against such pathogens, childhood immunisation programmes, and HIV and tuberculosis treatment programmes poses a threat to the future wellbeing of children. Furthermore, the economic devastation caused by the pandemic, including an increase in unemployment, gives rise to numerous challenges, such as food insecurity, which is likely to worsen childhood nutritional status. Also, COVID-19 has ongoing effects on the mental wellbeing of children, driven in part by the interruption of schooling and other opportunities to socialise. An increase in psychological illnesses has manifested in children consequent to the stresses of the pandemic, lockdowns, caregiver deaths. In this article, we highlight the indirect effects of COVID-19 on children, and suggest solutions to mitigate against the long-term sequelae. A focused health, nutrition, education and child protection response is required from government and healthcare practitioners to safeguard the health and wellbeing of South African children.

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During the COVID‐19 pandemic where has respiratory syncytial virus gone?

Cited by 98 publications

References 34 publications

The Influence of COVID-19 on Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus Activities

The Influence of COVID-19 on Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus Activities

COVID-19 Lesson for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): Hygiene Works

Children caught in the long shadow of COVID-19

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