Respiratory Syncytial Virus Outbreaks Are Predicted after the COVID-19 Pandemic in Tokyo, Japan

Nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) for COVID-19 can affect the current and future dynamics of respiratory syncytial virus infections (RSV). In Tokyo, RSV activity declined by 97.9% (95% CI: 94.8%-99.2%) during NPIs. A long period of NPIs could increase susceptible populations, thus enhancing the potential for large RSV outbreaks after the end of NPIs.

Automated summary

Nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) for COVID-19 have a significant impact on the activity of respiratory syncytial virus infections (RSV), leading to a decline in RSV transmission. However, prolonged NPIs may increase the susceptible population and enhance the risk of large-scale RSV outbreaks.