RSV Season Has Arrived in Florida

In the United States, the timing of seasonal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) outbreaks throughout the country is generally reported between October - April most years.

The 2022–23 season it started later than in 2021–2022 but earlier than prepandemic seasons, suggesting a return toward normal seasonality.

Furthermore, the state of Florida is often a bell-weather state for RSV detections, as it is in 2023.

Florida’s RSV season is longer than the rest of the nation and has distinct regional patterns. For this reason, the state is segmented into five RSV regions, each with its own season. 

The Florida Department of Health recently announced RSV activity during week #33 had increasing detection and admission rates.

As of August 19, 2023, two RSV outbreaks were confirmed in Martin County, located north of Jupiter. Last week, one RSV outbreak occurred in Jacksonville, Florida.

In the U.S., RSV infections cause thousands of hospitalizations among young children and adults aged ≥65. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) RSV detection 5-week moving average graphs for each state are displayed at this link.

This RSV season, the U.S. government has approved RSV vaccines and monoclonal antibody therapeutics available in specific clinics and pharmacies as of August 22, 2023.

The CDC says people should speak with a healthcare provider if these new therapeutics are appropriate for their health.