In Latvia, the spread of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has significantly increased, posing a particular threat to infants under four years old, who show a 27% positivity rate in tests. The national monitoring data indicates that during the first week of February, the proportion of positive RSV samples tested in hospitals reached 15.3%, nearly tripling from the 5.6% average documented in the first four weeks of January.

The SPKC notes that while RSV typically causes mild, cold-like illnesses, it can lead to severe complications in infants, especially those under six months old, premature babies, and children with chronic lung or heart conditions. These severe cases may require hospitalization due to risks of bronchiolitis and pneumonia, conditions that are particularly concerning amid rising infection rates.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reports that approximately half of all infants receive an RSV infection by their second birthday, highlighting the ongoing public health challenge posed by this virus in Latvia. The increase in RSV prevalence underscores the need for heightened vigilance and preventive measures, especially during the winter months when respiratory infections are more common.