Perturbations in Respiratory Syncytial Virus Activity During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in changes in RSV activity. After initial suppression, an interseasonal surge of RSV occurred in 2021 in children without proportional increases in infections in older adults, likely due to differences in adherence to public health measures. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of respiratory disease in all age groups, with young children and older adults experiencing the most severe illness. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in striking changes in the activity of seasonal respiratory viruses, including RSV. After a period of suppression early in the pandemic, an interseasonal surge of RSV occurred in 2021. Viral activity was detected primarily in children and young adults after relaxation of public health measures, but without the usual proportional increases in infections and hospitalizations in older adults who were likely still adhering to stricter public health measures.