Latest news with #RSV-related
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
RSV causes most infant respiratory infections but is rarely reported in India say experts
Representative Image BENGALURU: Although respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes nearly two-thirds of respiratory infections in infants, very few cases are reported in India, according to paediatric experts. This is despite RSV being a notifiable disease for decades, they say. 'Many hospitals don't test for RSV unless there's a major outbreak,' said Dr Vasant M Khalatkar, National President of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics. He pointed to 2,360 reported child deaths in 2024 from just a few cities—Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Mumbai—as just 'the tip of the iceberg.' At a medical roundtable on Tuesday in the city, doctors emphasised that almost every child contracts RSV by the age of two. RSV is an airborne viral infection that spreads through droplets and impacts the lungs when severe. It starts with a sniffle, some cold, and in three days could turn worse, requiring hospitalisation. While many recover easily, there's no way to predict which child might fall seriously ill, developing pneumonia or bronchiolitis, said doctors. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru 'RSV starts with symptoms like a common cold but can turn into a severe lung infection within just three days,' explained Dr Bhavesh Kotak, Head of Medical Affairs at Dr Reddy's. Citing WHO data, he said RSV causes 63% of acute respiratory infections in young children globally. Experts said natural immunity passed from the mother helps in the early days after birth. 'Respiratory protection from the placenta lasts only about a month. Breastfeeding helps with digestive immunity,' said Dr Cesar Mascarenas of Sanofi. That's why doctors say vaccination could play a crucial role in protecting babies, especially in the first six months. A Lancet study, Dr Kotak explained, found that out of 12.9 million cases of RSV-related lower respiratory infections globally, 3.6 million infants needed hospital care, and over 1 lakh (101,000) babies died. Despite the scale of the problem, routine testing and awareness around RSV remain low in India, said experts.
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
There's urgent need for awareness, immunisation against RSV in India: Doctors
Bengaluru: Just in 2024 alone, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) claimed 2,360 lives of children in hospitals notified in Bengaluru, Kolkata and Mumbai, said Dr Vasant M Khalatkar, National President of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) on Tuesday. Yet, RSV, often mistaken for a mild seasonal cold, is an under-discussed cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and children under five, he added. According to Dr Khalatkar, the 2024 data is just the tip of the ice-berg: although it has been a notifiable infection for almost five decades, people do not test for it. "Only when you see outbreaks -- like the one that happened in Kolkata in January -- do testing occur," he pointed out. Dr Khalatkar was part of a three-member panel that participated in a roundtable discussion on the prevalence of RSV, organised by Dr Reddy's Laboratories Limited in Bengaluru on Tuesday. Dr Reddy's is partnering with Sanofi, a French biopharma company, to bring to India single-dose preventive immunisation developed to protect infants from RSV-related complications. Citing Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) and published studies, Dr Bhavesh Kotak, Head of Medical Affairs at Dr Reddy's, who was also part of the panel, said, "RSV is the leading cause of respiratory illness in India, and when it deteriorates, it does so within three days of a cold-like symptom -- from there on, the child develops serious complications like bronchiolitis and pneumonia." He also quoted from a World Health Organization (WHO) study, which establishes that RSV is responsible for 63 per cent of acute respiratory infections in infants and young children worldwide. At the roundtable discussion, the doctors also stated that by the time babies turn two years old, they are infected by RSV at least once. They held that there is no biomarker to determine which child will become seriously ill and develop pneumonia and bronchiolitis. Representing Sanofi, Dr Cesar Mascarenas, Head of Medical International Region, said breast milk alone will not protect infants. "The breastmilk is responsible for digestive tract-related immunity, while the placenta provides respiratory immunity, but this lasts about a month," he said. "We have long been working to close critical gaps in prevention by advancing science-driven solutions that align with evolving global recommendations, including those from the WHO," added Mascarenas. Dr Kotak said India bears a significant share of the global RSV burden. "Unlike high-income countries with advanced prevention care and early access to preventive solutions, India still faces challenges in timely diagnosis and protection. Increased awareness around the severity of RSV and enabled access to ground-breaking immunisation solutions will be critical in building a more equitable and effective national response to RSV," he added. PTI
The Print
2 days ago
- Health
- The Print
There's urgent need for awareness, immunisation against RSV in India: Doctors
According to Dr Khalatkar, the 2024 data is just the tip of the ice-berg: although it has been a notifiable infection for almost five decades, people do not test for it. Yet, RSV, often mistaken for a mild seasonal cold, is an under-discussed cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and children under five, he added. Bengaluru, Jul 8 (PTI) Just in 2024 alone, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) claimed 2,360 lives of children in hospitals notified in Bengaluru, Kolkata and Mumbai, said Dr Vasant M Khalatkar, National President of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) on Tuesday. 'Only when you see outbreaks — like the one that happened in Kolkata in January — do testing occur,' he pointed out. Dr Khalatkar was part of a three-member panel that participated in a roundtable discussion on the prevalence of RSV, organised by Dr Reddy's Laboratories Limited in Bengaluru on Tuesday. Dr Reddy's is partnering with Sanofi, a French biopharma company, to bring to India single-dose preventive immunisation developed to protect infants from RSV-related complications. Citing Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) and published studies, Dr Bhavesh Kotak, Head of Medical Affairs at Dr Reddy's, who was also part of the panel, said, 'RSV is the leading cause of respiratory illness in India, and when it deteriorates, it does so within three days of a cold-like symptom — from there on, the child develops serious complications like bronchiolitis and pneumonia.' He also quoted from a World Health Organization (WHO) study, which establishes that RSV is responsible for 63 per cent of acute respiratory infections in infants and young children worldwide. At the roundtable discussion, the doctors also stated that by the time babies turn two years old, they are infected by RSV at least once. They held that there is no biomarker to determine which child will become seriously ill and develop pneumonia and bronchiolitis. Representing Sanofi, Dr Cesar Mascarenas, Head of Medical International Region, said breast milk alone will not protect infants. 'The breastmilk is responsible for digestive tract-related immunity, while the placenta provides respiratory immunity, but this lasts about a month,' he said. 'We have long been working to close critical gaps in prevention by advancing science-driven solutions that align with evolving global recommendations, including those from the WHO,' added Mascarenas. Dr Kotak said India bears a significant share of the global RSV burden. 'Unlike high-income countries with advanced prevention care and early access to preventive solutions, India still faces challenges in timely diagnosis and protection. Increased awareness around the severity of RSV and enabled access to ground-breaking immunisation solutions will be critical in building a more equitable and effective national response to RSV,' he added. PTI JR SA This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Need for awareness and immunization against Respiratory Syncytial Virus in India
Bengaluru: Medical experts in India are calling for urgent attention to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), a highly contagious but under-discussed cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and children under five. RSV, often mistaken for a mild seasonal cold, accounts for ~ 3.6 million hospitalizations and ~ 100,000 deaths in children under five each year globally. India, with the largest birth cohort of ~ 25 million newborns annually, contributes significantly to this burden. The impact is particularly severe during the country's monsoon and early winter months, when neonatal ICUs experience a surge in admissions. Alarmingly, even healthy, full-term infants across all socio-economic backgrounds often require oxygen or ventilator support due to RSV-related complications. Therefore, raising awareness among parents and healthcare professionals about available preventive measures is critical to reducing the disease's toll on young lives. Dr. Vasant M. Khalatkar, Current National President, Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP), said 'RSV remains a significant threat to infant health, and while hygiene measures like handwashing are essential, they're often not enough—especially for babies under one year. With the recent World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation for long-acting monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and India enabling access to these solutions, we now have vital tools to protect our youngest. Palivizumab has been available for high-risk infants, offering protection through monthly dosing during the RSV season. Now, with the arrival of Nirsevimab—a single-dose, long-acting antibody that provides season-long protection—we're seeing a major advancement. Administered shortly after birth or during routine follow-ups, these preventive options can greatly reduce RSV-related hospitalizations and shield infants from serious complications like bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Prevention, timely awareness, and parental engagement are critical to reducing RSV's impact across India.' Dr. Cesar Mascarenas, Head of Medical International Region, Sanofi, commented 'We have long been working to close critical gaps in prevention by advancing science-driven solutions that align with evolving global recommendations, including those from the WHO. Addressing RSV burden in India with advanced preventive care is the need of the hour. Strengthening awareness, improving access to protective interventions, and enabling timely immunization are essential steps in reducing the impact of RSV and safeguarding the health of future generations.' Dr. Bhavesh Kotak, Head, Medical Affairs, Dr. Reddy's, added 'India bears a significant share of the global RSV burden. Unlike high-income countries with advanced prevention care and early access to preventive solution, India still faces challenges in timely diagnosis and protection. Increased awareness around the severity of RSV and enabled access to ground-breaking immunization solutions will be critical in building a more equitable and effective national response to RSV.' In April 2025, Sanofi and Dr. Reddy's announced the expansion of their partnership to bring to India a novel, single-dose preventive immunization developed to protect infants from RSV-related complications. Caregivers or parents are advised to speak with their pediatricians / neonatologist for more details.
CNBC
26-06-2025
- Health
- CNBC
RFK Jr.'s CDC vaccine panel backs Merck RSV shot for infants
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s revamped government panel of outside vaccine advisors on Thursday recommended the use of Merck's shot to protect infants from respiratory syncytial virus, a temporary reprieve for public health officials and companies concerned about the Health and Human Services secretary's immunization policy. The group, called the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, also voted unanimously to include Merck's shot in the government's list of recommended childhood immunizations that receive wide insurance coverage. The votes in favor of the injectable antibody, Enflonsia, are a sigh of relief for drugmakers and the medical community after Kennedy earlier this month gutted the panel and tapped replacements, some of whom are well-known vaccine critics. The signoff will allow the company to launch the shot ahead of the RSV season that typically kicks off around fall and winter and lasts through the spring. Enflonsia, recommended for infants during their first RSV season, will compete head-to-head with a rival shot from Sanofi and AstraZeneca called Beyfortus. Both are preventative monoclonal antibodies, which deliver antibodies directly into the bloodstream to provide immediate protection. But each targets a different part of the virus, making it difficult to compare them directly. RSV causes thousands of deaths among older Americans and hundreds of deaths among infants each year, and complications from the virus are the leading cause of hospitalization among newborns. In a mid- to late-stage trial on Enflonsia, the shot reduced RSV-related hospitalizations by more than 84% and decreased hospitalizations due to lower respiratory infections by 90% compared with a placebo among infants through five months. Two of the vaccine critics on the panel, Retsef Levi and Vicky Pebsworth, voted against recommending Merck's shot and questioned its safety throughout the meeting. But some other members underscored the safety of Merck's shot, which won approval from the Food and Drug Administration earlier this month. "These are truly remarkable products. They are safe and they're effective, and I don't think there's any further data that needs to be presented," said member Dr. Cody Meissner, a professor of pediatrics at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. The ACIP "work group has spent an enormous amount of time, the FDA has spent an enormous amount of effort looking at safety and efficacy, and it is simply not an issue here," said Meissner, who has also held advisory roles at the CDC and FDA. Other experts at the meeting, who aren't members of the committee, agreed. "This is a tremendous advance for medical science, and I urge the committee to approve and pass this resolution so that we can continue to protect our children and keep them healthy," said Dr. Jason Goldman, president of the American College of Physicians. Levi said he voted against the shot because he believes it is not "ready to be administered to all healthy babies. He added, "I think we should take a more precautionary approach to this." The vote specifically recommends one dose of Merck's shot for infants ages 8 months or younger born during or entering their first RSV season.
