Open AccessDetermination of respiratory syncytial virus epidemic seasons by using 95% confidence interval of positivity rates, 2011–2021, Germany
Author(s) -
Cai Wei,
Dürrwald Ralf,
Biere Barbara,
Schweiger Brunhilde,
Haas Walter,
Wolff Thorsten,
Buda Silke,
Reiche Janine
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
influenza and other respiratory viruses
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.743
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1750-2659
pISSN - 1750-2640
DOI - 10.1111/irv.12996
Subject(s) - confidence interval , pandemic , medicine , covid-19 , virology , outpatient visits , respiratory system , virus , pediatrics , health care , economics , economic growth , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty)
Based on our national outpatient sentinel surveillance, we have developed a novel approach to determine respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) epidemic seasons in Germany by using RSV positivity rate and its lower limit of 95% confidence interval. This method was evaluated retrospectively on nine RSV seasons, and it is also well‐suited to describe off‐season circulation of RSV in near real time as observed for seasons 2020/21 and 2021/22 during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Prospective application is of crucial importance to enable timely actions for health service delivery and prevention.