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During the COVID‐19 pandemic where has respiratory syncytial virus gone?
Author(s) -
Di Mattia Greta,
Nenna Raffaella,
Mancino Enrica,
Rizzo Valentina,
Pierangeli Alessandra,
Villani Alberto,
Midulla Fabio
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
pediatric pulmonology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.866
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1099-0496
pISSN - 8755-6863
DOI - 10.1002/ppul.25582
Subject(s) - pandemic , medicine , virus , covid-19 , virology , respiratory system , population , paramyxoviridae , herd immunity , immunology , viral disease , environmental health , vaccination , outbreak , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty)
The diffusion of the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus and the implementation of restrictive measures led to a drastic reduction of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) diffusion. Few RSV cases have been detected worldwide, even after the removal of the restrictions. We review the current literature and present possible explanations on why there has been a significant reduction of RSV detection during the COVID‐19 pandemic. We also hypothesize what may happen when RSV begins to circulate again. The increase of an immunologically naïve population, with infants born from mothers who have not reinforced their immunity to RSV, could lead to greater RSV epidemics in the coming seasons. It is crucial to prepare the scientific community and to keep RSV surveillance active to avoid dramatic consequences.