Relative timing of respiratory syncytial virus epidemics in summer 2021 across the United States was similar to a typical winter season. Issue 4 (8th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zheng, Zhe; Warren, Joshua L.; Artin, Iris; Pitzer, Virginia E.; Weinberger, Daniel M.
• Is Part Of: Influenza and other respiratory viruses. Volume 16:Issue 4(2022)
• Page Start: 617
• Page End: 620
• Publication Date: 2022-02-08
• Subjects: epidemic timing -- respiratory syncytial virus -- RSV -- spatial spread -- spatiotemporal patterns; Influenza -- Periodicals; Respiratory infections -- Periodicals; Virus diseases -- Periodicals; Influenza, Human -- Periodicals; Respiratory Tract Diseases -- Periodicals; Virus Diseases -- Periodicals; Grippe -- Périodiques; Appareil respiratoire -- Infections -- Périodiques; Maladies à virus -- Périodiques; 616.203
• DOI: 10.1111/irv.12965
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1750-2640

Abstract

Abstract: We used a validated proxy of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity in the United States (Google search data) to evaluate the onsets of RSV epidemics in 2021 and 2016–2019. Despite the unusual out‐of‐season summer timing, the relative timing of RSV epidemics between states in 2021 shared a similar spatial pattern with typical winter RSV seasons. Our results suggest that the onset of RSV epidemics in Florida can serve as a baseline to adjust the initiation of prophylaxis administration and clinical trials in other states regardless of the seasonality of RSV epidemics.