Pediatric RSV Outbreak Reported in Jacksonville

The Florida Department of Health's RSV Review Activity Summary #32 reported a few counties confirmed increasing detection rates and one outbreak in a pediatric facility in Deval County.

As of August 12, 2023, Florida's overall respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) positivity rate had increased since last week, but emergency room visits had not changed.

In Florida, deaths per 100,000 population for children younger than five was .02 for the 2022-2023 RSV season. 

Florida says its RSV season is longer than the rest of the nation and has distinct regional patterns.

From a nationwide perspective, annual community-based outbreaks of RSV typically occur during late fall, winter, and early spring. The U. S. CDC's RSV detection graphs display the 5-week moving average.

RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. According to the CDC, young children and older adults, especially those with certain underlying health conditions, are at higher risk for severe illness from RSV.

A recent Original Investigation supports new RSV preventative interventions, including long-lasting monoclonal antibodies in infants and maternal vaccination.

On July 17, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved Beyfortus™ (Nirsevimab-alip), a long-acting monoclonal RSV-neutralizing antibody, for infants.