Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on Epidemiological Changes of Severe
Paediatric Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infections in Malaysia
Abstract
Introduction Tropical seasonality of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
is one of the leading causes of hospitalization and mortality among
children with respiratory tract infections. The non-pharmaceutical
preventive measures implemented worldwide against Covid-19 may have also
reduced the transmission of RSV, hence altering its epidemiological
seasonality. However, with easing of Covid-19 restrictions, studies
reported a drastic rebound of cases due to poor protective immunity from
long-term reduced exposure to RSV. Thus, this is the first study to
evaluate the changes of RSV epidemiology before, during and after
Covid-19 pandemic in Malaysia. Methods We analyzed collated data from
2017 to 2022, involving 4084 children aged <12 years who were
admitted for severe respiratory infections requiring non-invasive
ventilation (NIV). Results Generally, we reported significant inverse
relationship between RSV and Covid-19 infections during the pandemic
(2020-2021) (p<0.05). In 2020, RSV positivity rate declined
sharply to 8.3% and 5.9%, respectively in the 2 prominent seasons.
Time series analysis showed a tremendous decrease in cases compared to
the expected values, with the first season (98.3%, CI 95%) and second
season (95.7%, CI 95%). However, with the lifting of the restriction
order in 2022, RSV infections rose sharply with a positivity rate of
36.3% which was higher than before Covid-19 pandemic. Conclusion This
study provides evidence of increasing RSV cases after Covid-19 pandemic
due to immunity debt. Hence, the healthcare system must be prepared to
deal with future RSV outbreaks with appropriate implementation of
prophylaxis and public health measures.