After COVID-19-related disruptions last year, experts anticipate respiratory syncytial virus to follow a more typical seasonal pattern this year, with activity ramping up in the fall and peaking in December or January, CNN reported Aug. 17.
"It seems like we are going to have RSV during the RSV season, which has been difficult to say over the last few years," said Daniel Weinberger, PhD, associate professor in epidemiology of microbial diseases at New Haven, Conn.-based Yale School of Public Health.
RSV began an unseasonably early ascent last summer. By October, an intense surge was overwhelming children's hospitals nationwide. Many experts believe RSV came back with a vengeance in the 2022-23 season because many people weren't exposed during the prior season, when masking and other COVID-19 prevention measures were still commonplace.
Given the virus's prevalence last season, Dr. Weinberger and other experts anticipate the intensity this year will be "closer to normal" in line with pre-pandemic patterns. This year also marks the first time RSV vaccines will be available to adults 60 and older, a group that is at high risk of severe disease. A monoclonal antibody will also be available for infants.
"If there is perhaps the one upside of last year being a severe season is that I think a lot more people are aware of the dangers of RSV for infants and older adults than they previously were," Dr. Weinberger said. "Hopefully, that will encourage people to get vaccinated or get the antibodies going into the season this year."