Respiratory Syncytial virus (RSV)

RSV Season Has Arrived!

In Idaho, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) season officially began the week ending January 21, 2012. The definition for season onset is adapted from the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS). RSV is considered widespread in Idaho in the first of two consecutive weeks during which the reported total percent of specimens testing positive for antigen is ≥ 10%.

High-risk infants should have already begun palivizumab (Synagis^®) injections.

The end of the RSV season, or season offset, will occur in the last of two consecutive weeks during which the reported total percentage of specimens testing positive for antigen is < 10%. The end of the 2010-2011 RSV season occurred the week ending April 30, 2010. Idaho Medicaid follows the American Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines (revised 2009) for eligibility criteria for prophylaxis of high-risk infants and young children.  A maximum of 3 doses is recommended for eligible patients less than 90 days chronological age who were born between 32 weeks, 0 days and 34 weeks, 6 days gestation.  A maximum of 5 doses is recommended for all other eligible patients.

Region 1 = Panhandle Health District + Public Health-Idaho North Central District; Region 2 = Southwest District Health + Central District Health Department; Region 3 = South Central Public Health District; and, Region 4 = Southeastern Idaho Public Health + Eastern Idaho Public Health District.

Posted February 8, 2012