Defining the seasonality of respiratory syncytial virus around the world: National and subnational surveillance data from 12 countries. Issue 6 (13th July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Staadegaard, Lisa; Caini, Saverio; Wangchuk, Sonam; Thapa, Binay; de Almeida, Walquiria Aparecida Ferreira; de Carvalho, Felipe Cotrim; Fasce, Rodrigo A.; Bustos, Patricia; Kyncl, Jan; Novakova, Ludmila; Caicedo, Alfredo Bruno; de Mora Coloma, Domenica Joseth; Meijer, Adam; Hooiveld, Mariëtte; Huang, Q. Sue; Wood, Tim; Guiomar, Raquel; Rodrigues, Ana Paula; Lee, Vernon Jian Ming; Ang, Li Wei; Cohen, Cheryl; Moyes, Jocelyn; Larrauri, Amparo; Delgado‐Sanz, Concepción; Demont, Clarisse; Bangert, Mathieu; Dückers, Michel; van Summeren, Jojanneke; Paget, John
• Is Part Of: Influenza and other respiratory viruses. Volume 15:Issue 6(2021)
• Page Start: 732
• Page End: 741
• Publication Date: 2021-07-13
• Subjects: epidemiology -- respiratory syncytial virus -- seasonality -- surveillance; 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.12885
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1750-2640

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections are one of the leading causes of lower respiratory tract infections and have a major burden on society. For prevention and control to be deployed effectively, an improved understanding of the seasonality of RSV is necessary. Objectives: The main objective of this study was to contribute to a better understanding of RSV seasonality by examining the GERi multi‐country surveillance dataset. Methods: RSV seasons were included in the analysis if they contained ≥100 cases. Seasonality was determined using the "average annual percentage" method. Analyses were performed at a subnational level for the United States and Brazil. Results: We included 601 425 RSV cases from 12 countries. Most temperate countries experienced RSV epidemics in the winter, with a median duration of 10–21 weeks. Not all epidemics fit this pattern in a consistent manner, with some occurring later or in an irregular manner. More variation in timing was observed in (sub)tropical countries, and we found substantial differences in seasonality at a subnational level. No association was found between the timing of the epidemic and the dominant RSV subtype. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that geographical location or climatic characteristics cannot be used as a definitive predictor for the timing of RSV epidemics and highlight the need for (sub)national data collection and analysis.