Respiratory Syncytial Virus, 2019

Laboratory-confirmed respiratory syncytial virus disease (RSV) became reportable for all hospitalized residents of the metropolitan area September 2016. Any death occurring statewide within 60 days of a positive RSV test is also reportable.

From October 1, 2019 – April 30, 2020, 774 cases were reported (13.7 cases per 100,000 persons) compared to 721 cases (12.9 cases per 100,000 persons) from October 2018 – April 2019. The overall median age was 10 months (range: 8 days – 100 years). Sixty-six percent (514) were <2 years: 38% (291) were <6 months, 15% (116) were 6 months – 11 months, and 14% (107) were 1 year – <2 years. Eight percent (64) were 2-4 years, 2% (14) were 5 – 17 years, 4% (31) were 18 – 49 years, 6% (46) were 50 – 64 years, and 14% (105) were ≥65 years of age. Overall, 53% of RSV cases were male and 52% were white.

Forty-five percent of cases had a comorbid condition at the time of their illness, and presence of a co-morbid condition increased significantly as age increased. The most common co-morbid conditions for cases <2 years of age were prematurity (18%), cardiovascular disease (5%), and chronic lung disease (4%). For cases 2 – 17 years of age, chronic lung disease (24%), asthma/reactive airway disease (18%), and neurologic conditions (17%) were recorded. The most common underlying conditions for adults 18-64 years of age and older adults (≥65 years) were chronic metabolic disease (29% and 46% respectively), cardiovascular disease (38% and 72% respectively), and chronic lung disease (45% and 51% respectively).

Nineteen RSV-associated deaths were reported for the 2019-2020 respiratory season: 11 died during hospitalization, and 8 within 60 days of discharge from the hospital. The median age of fatal RSV cases was 73 years (range: 11 years – 90 years), and all 19 had co-morbid conditions. Identification of additional RSV-associated deaths is ongoing.

• For more information at>> Reporting Q Fever
  
• Full issue>> Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2019