RSV Among American Indian and Alaska Native Children: 2019 to 2020

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading viral cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections, including bronchiolitis and pneumonia, in children under 5 years of age globally.1 Historically, RSV-associated hospitalization rates among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children have been among the highest in the world.2-7 Contemporary estimates of RSV-acute respiratory infection (ARI) are needed to inform RSV prevention strategies for AI/AN children.

Automated summary

RSV is the leading cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections in children under 5 globally, resulting in bronchiolitis and pneumonia. American Indian and Alaska Native children have historically had among the highest RSV-associated hospitalization rates in the world. Contemporary estimates of RSV-acute respiratory infections are needed for informing prevention strategies.