Conclusion

This first in-depth epidemiological study on RSV in CAF showed concomitant circulation of RSV-A and RSV-B with an alternating predominance and RSV-A genotype replacement from NA1 to ON1. This molecular epidemiological study constitutes a reference for future comparisons of multiyear data to better understand RSV transmission patterns in CAF and to assess the clinical impact of the circulating genotypes. Given preventive palivizumab administration costs and while waiting for a licensed vaccine, awareness and early clinical care remain the best options for preventing severe and deadly RSV infections. Awareness campaigns concerning clinical manifestations of RSV infection, which target mothers of children born within 6 months of RSV peak incidence, should be considered. Comparing epidemiological data with weather data may provide additional insight into the seasonality of RSV infections.