RSV Monitoring in Germany: A Critical Overview of Available Surveillance Systems

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) significantly impacts vulnerable populations, including young children and the elderly.
• Accurate epidemiological data is crucial for developing effective preventive measures against RSV.
• Existing RSV surveillance in Germany requires a comprehensive overview to assess its utility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of publicly available Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) surveillance resources in Germany.
• To evaluate the scope, strengths, and limitations of current RSV data collection methods.
• To inform the implementation of targeted preventive strategies for RSV.

Main Methods:

• Systematic identification of public RSV surveillance systems across Germany.
• Extraction of exemplary data to assess data scope, quality, and limitations.
• Analysis of data from national (Robert Koch Institute) and regional surveillance systems.

Main Results:

• German RSV surveillance provides data on incidence, age distribution, and seasonality in both outpatient and inpatient settings.
• Mandatory reporting by the Robert Koch Institute and hospital discharge codes contribute to national data.
• Pediatric RSV surveillance is more comprehensive than adult surveillance, with underestimation noted in adult case reporting.

Conclusions:

• German RSV surveillance systems effectively track incidence and seasonal trends nationally and regionally.
• Enhanced pediatric data collection offers a more complete picture compared to adult data.
• Underreporting of RSV cases, particularly in adults, highlights a need for improved surveillance strategies.