Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned This week, an increase in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections among young children was revealed in parts of the southeastern United States.
Traditionally, the RSV season, like influenza and other respiratory viruses, begins in the fall and lasts into the winter. However, RSV infections are much higher than usual this time of year, especially in Florida and Georgia.
Over the past four weeks, the three-week average of RSV PCR test positivity in Florida has exceeded 5%, which is above the 3% baseline typically seen at the beginning of the RSV season, the CDC said. mentioned in the recommendation.
In Georgia, the number of RSV-related hospitalizations among children under age 4 increased from 2.0 per 100,000 people in the week ending August 5 to 7.0 per 100,000 people in the week ending August 19, according to the CDC. increased. Additionally, the majority of those hospitalizations were children under 1 year of age.
“Historically, such regional increases have predicted the beginning of the RSV epidemic season nationwide, with increased RSV activity spreading north and west over the next few months.” The agency said in its recommendation:
CDC said it wants clinicians and caregivers to know about respiratory syncytial virus because it can be particularly dangerous for infants, young children, and the elderly.
Last year, RSV outbreaks occurred earlier than usual, with a sharp increase in October and a decline in November. At the time, experts told ABC News that this could happen because children were not exposed to potential infections between 2020 and 2022 due to lockdowns, or because they were born during the pandemic. He said it is possible that this may have happened.
Symptoms of RSV Symptoms usually appear within four to six days after infection and include fever, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, wheezing and loss of appetite, and usually appear in stages, according to the CDC.
An estimated 58,000 to 80,000 children under the age of five are hospitalized each year with the virus, according to the CDC, and 60,000 to 160,000 people over the age of 65 are hospitalized.
Also, in infants, Increased risk of severe disease Infections caused by respiratory syncytial virus include premature infants, immunocompromised children, and children with congenital heart or lung disease.
RSV kills 100 to 300 children and 6,000 to 10,000 elderly people each year, according to the CDC.
But this season, for the first time ever, protection against RSV will be available to many Americans. First, adults aged 60 and older will be able to get vaccinated. Similar to the flu shot, the vaccine will be available at major pharmacy chains such as CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens.
This season also saw the introduction of new RSV treatments. The vaccine, called Beyfortus, was recently approved for infants younger than 8 months who have experienced their first RSV season, and some high-risk infants are eligible for a second vaccination the following year.
Bayfortas is a one-dose injectable drug made with a monoclonal antibody. Monoclonal antibodies are proteins made in the lab that mimic the antibodies your body naturally produces when fighting infections. Vyfortus is given as an intramuscular injection and activates the immune system through a different mechanism than vaccines.
A third type of RSV treatment may also become available. This is a vaccination given late in pregnancy in hopes of protecting the newborn. It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration last month, but is currently awaiting CDC approval before it becomes available.
ABC News’ Dr. Evgeniya Jenny Rakitina contributed to this report.