In Latvia, the spread of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is on the rise, particularly among infants under four years old, as indicated by recent monitoring data.
Recent monitoring by the SPKC (Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) has shown a notable increase in the prevalence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in Latvia, particularly affecting young children. As of the first week of February, the proportion of positive RSV tests in hospitals reached 15.3%, compared to an average of 5.6% during the whole of January. Among children aged 0 to 4 years, the positive test rate was even higher at 27%, indicating a significant public health concern regarding this vulnerable demographic.
This uptick in RSV cases in Latvia follows a trend observed in several European countries where RSV infections began to rise even earlier, as early as December 2025. Previous seasons have shown that RSV activity usually increases from late January through mid-April, with peak rates often occurring at the end of February. In the last epidemic season, maximum prevalence was recorded at 36.2% positivity rate in the same timeframe, suggesting that this year may follow a comparable trajectory if the current trends continue.
The increase in RSV infections poses risks not only to individual health but also places additional strain on healthcare systems, particularly pediatric wards. With infants and very young children being especially susceptible to severe RSV disease, public health interventions may be necessary to mitigate risks and inform caregivers about prevention and treatment options during the upcoming months. The data released by the ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) will also be crucial for ongoing monitoring and response efforts in Latvia and neighboring regions.
