Respiratory syncytial virus and influenza A and B
- Following the start of the 2023 respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season in week 6 (week ending 11 February), detection rates continued to increase during March, predominantly in the <5 year age group. RSV percentage positivity in week 13 reached 67% in those aged <6 months, 53.6% in 6-12 month olds and 41.6% in 1-5 year olds.
- Influenza A percentage positivity began to increase during March, mostly due to increases in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape, while detection rates in the Western Cape remained below 3%. As of week 12, detection rates in the national surveillance programmes remain below the threshold to indicate the start of the influenza season (NICD Weekly respiratory pathogens report, Week 12 of 2023).
- Influenza B detection rates remained below 1% across all provinces.
Respiratory Virus Statistics: March 2023