The International Workshop on RSV Infection 2024 took place as a virtual meeting on 28 October 2024.
RSV is a leading cause of acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) and respiratory mortality among young children globally. It is responsible for an estimated 3.6 million hospital admissions each year, increasing the burden of the epidemic on the healthcare systems and societies.
In 2019, RSV caused more than 100,000 deaths in children under the age of five years globally, with more than 45,000 occurring in children younger than six months old.
The disease burden in older children and adults is less studied. In the United States, an estimated 3-10 % of adults develop RSV-associated respiratory infection yearly, with 1-2 in 1000 patients admitted to hospital resulting in a 1-2 % case fatality rate.
Severe disease is associated with advanced age and underlying comorbidities. While young children often acquire RSV outside their homes, transmission within the household is a significant risk factor for the elderly. This transmission dynamic is integral to implementing prevention measures and future vaccination programs.
The COVID pandemic influenced the course of the RSV epidemic, with an initial major decrease followed by a subsequent rebound beyond the usual seasonality. This could have a significant impact on prevention strategies.
There is a crucial unmet need for knowledge exchange and discussion on preventing early childhood RSV-associated ALRI morbidity and mortality.
This program encompasses epidemiology, pathophysiology, system immunology, prevention in pediatrics and adults, vaccination during pregnancy, and treatment options in neonates.
