Mainly affects elderly people, and spread usually starts in Florida
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released an alert this week regarding the annual spread of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The virus usually begins in Florida at the start of the fall season, peaking a few months later in winter. In recent weeks, the CDC recorded a spike in patients testing positive for RSV in both Florida and Georgia.
“Historically, such regional increases have predicted the beginning of RSV season nationally, with increased RSV activity spreading north and west over the following 2–3 months,” the CDC said in the alert.
RSV generally affects those with weaker immune systems, such as infants and elderly people. The CDC estimates that roughly 200 children under the age of 5 and 10,000 people over the age of 65 succumb to the virus each year. Congress has approved a new RSV vaccine for pregnant women, which offers a new resource to fight the spread of this illness.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For CDC officials as they monitor public health and determine which alerts to issue.
- For Director Mandy Cohen to be led by God as she heads the CDC.
- That the Lord would protect American infants and seniors who are susceptible to RSV.
Sources: The Hill, Washington Post
