The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today announced a Health Alert Network Health Advisory CDCHAN-00498 to notify clinicians and caregivers about increased respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity in the Southeastern United States.
Historically, such regional increases have predicted the beginning of the RSV season in the U.S.
Across both prepandemic and pandemic years, RSV circulation began in Florida, said the CDC on September 5, 2023.
The Florida Department of Health segmented reports into five RSV regions, each with its own RSV season.
As of week #35, September 2, 2023, Florida’s RSV activity had increased admission, positivity, and emergency room rates, but no current outbreaks.
In anticipation of the onset of the 2023-2024 RSV season, the CDC encourages clinicians to prepare to implement new RSV prevention options.
A new monoclonal antibody product, Beyfortus™ (Nirsevimab-alip), protects infants and some young children at higher risk for severe RSV disease. Its availability in the U.S. is expected in October 2023.
Also, two new RSV vaccines are available to protect older adults from severe RSV disease: RSVPreF3 (Arexvy, GSK) or RSVpreF (Abrysvo, Pfizer), based on shared clinical decision-making between the healthcare provider and the patient.
Furthermore, the CDC recommends healthcare personnel, childcare providers, and staff at long-term care facilities should stay home and not go to work when they have a fever or symptoms of respiratory infection to reduce the spread of respiratory infections, including RSV.