Characteristics of the delayed respiratory syncytial virus epidemic, 2020/2021, Rhone Loire, France

The Rhone-Loire metropolitan areas' 2020/21 respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) epidemic was delayed following the implementation of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI), compared with previous seasons. Very severe lower respiratory tract infection incidence among infants <= 3 months decreased twofold, the proportion of cases among children aged > 3 months to 5 years increased, and cases among adults > 65 years were markedly reduced. NPI appeared to reduce the RSV burden among at-risk groups, and should be promoted to minimise impact of future RSV outbreaks.

Automated summary

The 2020/21 RSV epidemic in the Rhone-Loire metropolitan areas was delayed due to the implementation of non-pharmaceutical interventions. Severe lower respiratory tract infections among infants <= 3 months decreased twofold, while cases among older children and adults > 65 years were reduced. Non-pharmaceutical interventions should be promoted to minimize the impact of future RSV outbreaks.