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Prospective longitudinal study of respiratory syncytial virus and other respiratory viruses in children <5 years in community settings in metropolitan western Australia: the PATROL study

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant cause of respiratory infections in young children. Since 2021, RSV has been a notifiable disease in Australia. However, current surveillance systems focus on hospitalised RSV, with limited surveillance at a community level through primary care clinics. This approach only captures RSV requiring hospitalisation. Less severe illnesses, while not captured, may have significant social and economic impacts including the associated cost of care and absenteeism. The aim of this study is to establish an understanding of the broader burden of RSV in young children in a community setting.

Citation:
Williams A, Harvey J, Bastian E, Foley DA, ……. Moore HC, Blyth CC,  Cameron E, Carlson S, Clarke Z, Conway LA, Finucane C, Foley D, Giannini F, Harvey J, Hughes C, Lamichhane B, Levy A, Pienaar C, Puca C, Richmond P, Sarna M, Wadia U, Prospective longitudinal study of respiratory syncytial virus and other respiratory viruses in children <5 years in community settings in metropolitan western Australia: the PATROL study. BMJ Open. 2026;16(5).

Keywords:
Community-Based Participatory Research; Epidemiology; Paediatric infectious disease & immunisation; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human

Abstract:
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant cause of respiratory infections in young children. Since 2021, RSV has been a notifiable disease in Australia. However, current surveillance systems focus on hospitalised RSV, with limited surveillance at a community level through primary care clinics. This approach only captures RSV requiring hospitalisation. Less severe illnesses, while not captured, may have significant social and economic impacts including the associated cost of care and absenteeism. The aim of this study is to establish an understanding of the broader burden of RSV in young children in a community setting.