Atypical activity of Respiratory Syncytial Virus during the COVID-19 pandemic in a Portuguese hospital

• DOI: 10.51126/revsalus.v6i1.660
• Publication Date: 2024-03-26T17:24:10Z
• Authors: Márcia Oliveira; Nádia Martins; Sandra Mota; Maria Manuela Amorim
• Keywords: Pandemic; 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak

Introduction: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) represents the main cause of acute lower respiratory tract infection in children up to 5 years age. After COVID-19 pandemic started 2020, it was necessary implement control measures that also affected RSV activity. Objectives: Study epidemiological profile paediatric patients who attended Centro Hospitalar Póvoa de Varzim - Vila do Conde, from September 1, 2019, March 31, 2022. Methodology: We studied results screening by Polymerase Chain Reaction consulting existing records SISLAB®. Data analysis performed IBM SPSS Statistics 28. Results: The activity 2019/2020 season on week 49 2019 and ended 11 2020. In 2020/2021 season, there were no cases infection. recorded 24 2021 until 3 Regarding under 13 months, represented 57.1% cases, between 24.3% Conclusion: absence coincided with implementation measures. registered an inter-seasonal outbreak after those relaxed, thus observing different normally Portugal.