Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections in Young Children Presenting to Primary Care in Catalonia During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract We observed an unusual pattern of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children under 5 years in Catalonia (Spain). We observed a near absence of RSV during winter months and a subsequent surge during the late spring. Primary care electronic health records combined with hospital RSV laboratory confirmation could be used to monitor trends of respiratory pathogens. We observed a 86% reduction of respiratory syncytial virus related disease during 2020-2021 winter months in children under 5 years in Catalonia compared to the expected. Afterwards, an unusual late spring surge was also observed.