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RSV alarm in Vienna: First cases of the season discovered!
The RSV season in Austria starts late, with the first cases in Vienna. The article highlights risks for infants and new vaccination measures.
RSV alarm in Vienna: First cases of the season discovered!
The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is spreading in Austria, which has worrying effects on the health of young children. The first cases of this season were recently recorded by the sentinel system of the Center for Virology at the Med-Uni Vienna, as virologist Judith Aberle reported on Bluesky. Every year, an estimated 54,600 children in Austria become ill with RSV and around 1,100 have to be hospitalized, with infants being particularly frequently affected. About 50 percent of affected children are less than three months old, underscoring the seriousness of this viral infection.
Dangerous bronchiolitis and risks
The dangers of RSV are significant, especially the dreaded bronchiolitis, which can lead to overinflation of the smallest airways. According to pediatrician Peter Voitl, every year experiences a certain number of deaths due to RSV infections. Alarming statistics show that about 1.2 percent of hospitalized premature babies, 5.2 percent of children with congenital heart disease and 4.1 percent of children with certain chronic lung diseases die from the viral infection. These numbers illustrate the urgency of taking appropriate protective measures.
In response to the growing RSV cases, vaccines have been available for seniors and pregnant women since autumn 2023, which offer indirect protection for newborns. Pregnant women can pass protective antibodies to their babies. The RSV prophylaxis Beyfortus (nirsevimab) will also be available in Austria from mid-December and will be offered free of charge to all children born in winter. This prophylactic measure should help reduce the risk of severe RSV infections.
Additionally, research shows that 97 percent of children will contract RSV in the first two years of life. Studies suggest that previous RSV infections may increase the risk of childhood asthma. A recent study has demonstrated relationships between RSV infections and subsequent respiratory disease, further emphasizing the importance of vaccination and prophylaxis.