Delayed respiratory syncytial virus epidemic in children after relaxation of COVID-19 physical distancing measures, Ashdod, Israel, 2021
Moran Weinberger Opek, Yonatan Yeshayahu, Aharona Glatman‐Freedman, Zalman Kaufman, Nadav Sorek, Tal Brosh‐Nissimov
Abstract
Following low incidence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, we noted a resurgence in hospitalised children in spring/summer 2021 following relaxation of public health measures. We compared this outbreak to previous autumn/winter seasons. We found higher weekly case numbers and incidence rates, more cases from urban neighbourhoods with lower socioeconomic status, and similar clinical presentation and severity. Public health implications include the re-evaluation of palivizumab administration and the need for surge capacity planning.
Topics & Concepts
PalivizumabOutbreakIncidence (geometry)PandemicPublic healthRespiratory systemMedicineSocioeconomic statusCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)VirologyPediatricsVirusEnvironmental healthPopulationInternal medicineDiseaseOpticsPhysicsInfectious disease (medical specialty)NursingRespiratory viral infections researchCOVID-19 epidemiological studiesViral Infections and Vectors