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RSV-NET Overview and Methods
About RSV-NET
The Respiratory Syncytial Virus Hospitalization Surveillance Network (RSV-NET) is part of Respiratory Virus Hospitalization Surveillance Network (RESP-NET) which conducts population-based surveillance for laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, RSV, and influenza-associated hospitalizations among children and adults. RESP-NET also includes COVID-NET and FluSurv-NET.
Data from RSV-NET are collected by a network of sites from acute-care hospitals across a network of acute-care hospital facilities in 12 states covering almost 8% of the U.S. population. RSV-NET does not identify every RSV-associated hospitalization at these facilities.
The rates presented on the RSV-NET interactive dashboard can be used to follow trends and comparisons of RSV-associated hospitalizations in different demographic groups and over time. However, the rates are unadjusted and do not account for undertesting, differing provider or facility testing practices, and diagnostic test sensitivity. The true burden of RSV-associated hospitalizations in the United States may not be represented by these numbers.
This dashboard is updated weekly. Data are preliminary and subject to change as more data become available. Rates for recent hospital admissions are subject to reporting delays that might increase around holidays or during periods of increased hospital utilization. As new data are received each week, previous rates are updated accordingly.
For the different RSV-NET surveillance years: Clinical Data Table
More details: RSV-NET Publications
1) Select a topic of interest
To use the RSV-NET interactive dashboard, select a topic to see specific data trends. Topics include: age group, race and ethnicity, sex, season, and state. Each topic of interest can be viewed by week, month, or as cumulative rates.
2) Select a filter of interest
Topics of interest can be filtered by age group, race and ethnicity, sex, season, and state. Filters vary by topic as not all topics have filters available.
3) Select different ways to view the data
The data can be displayed in a graph or as a table. Right click anywhere in the graph for a tabular view. Hovering your mouse over or selecting a data point or bar in the graph will display detailed information. Some graphs allow you to hide or show data from the legend for detailed analysis.
Suggested citation: “RSV-NET: Respiratory Syncytial Virus Hospitalization Surveillance Network, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. WEBSITE. Accessed on DATE”.
RSV-NET is a population-based surveillance system. Population-based surveillance is the active collection, analysis, and interpretation of data on a population in a specified geographic area.
Population-based surveillance is the active collection, analysis, and interpretation of data on a population in a specified geographic area.
RSV-associated hospitalization rates are used to understand trends in virus circulation, estimate disease burden, and respond to outbreaks. Demographic and detailed clinical information, including underlying conditions, allows CDC to better understand RSV-associated hospitalization trends and determine who is most at risk.
Case Definition
A case is defined by laboratory-confirmed RSV in a person who:
- Lives in a defined RSV-NET surveillance area AND
- Tests positive for RSV (using a laboratory-based molecular, antigen, serology, or antibody test) within 14 days before or during hospitalization.
Calculating Hospitalization Rates
To calculate RSV-associated hospitalization rates, RSV-NET collects the following data from identified cases:
- Age
- Sex
- Race and ethnicity
- County of residence
- Date of hospital admission
- Positive RSV test result and date
Hospitalization rates are calculated as the number of residents in a surveillance area who are hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed RSV divided by the total population estimate for that area. NCHS bridged-race population estimates are used as denominators for rate calculations prior to the 2020-2021 season.Beginning with the 2020–2021 season, unbridged census population estimates (U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, Vintage 2020-2022 Special Tabulation) are used as denominators.
RSV-NET is part of the Respiratory Virus hospitalization Surveillance Network (RESP-NET), which conducts population-based surveillance surveillance for laboratory-confirmed, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and influenza–associated hospitalizations among children and adults. across a network of acute-care hospital facilities in 12 states covering almost 8% of the U.S. population. RSV-NET does not identify every RSV-associated hospitalization at these facilities.
Collecting Clinical Data
RSV-NET surveillance began tracking RSV-associated hospitalizations in adults in the 2016–2017 season and in children in the 2018–2019 season.
Data collected are used to estimate age-specific hospitalization rates on a weekly and monthly basis and describe demographic and clinical characteristics of patients hospitalized with RSV.
Clinical data collected include:
- Medical history (e.g., underlying health conditions)
- Clinical course (i.e., progression of the RSV illness such as admission to an ICU)
- Medical interventions (i.e., medical care for the RSV illness such as need for mechanical ventilation)
- Outcomes (i.e., discharged from the hospital, or death)
The table below summarizes changes in surveillance populations and collection of clinical data by surveillance year.
| Year of Surveillance | Surveillance Population | Cases with Clinical Data Collected |
|---|---|---|
| October 2022-September 2023 | Children and adults in all participating states | Sample of children and adults admitted during October-April |
| October 2023-Present | Children and adults in all participating states | Sample of children and adults admitted during October-April |
RSV-NET Surveillance Area
RSV-NET currently comprises 65 counties and county equivalents in 12 states that participate in the Emerging Infections Program (EIP) or the Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Program (IHSP). The RSV-NET surveillance area is generally similar to the U.S. population by demographics; however, RSV-NET data might not be generalizable to the entire country.