Deaths from RSV in young infants—the hidden community burden

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in children. In 2015, the global burden in children under 5 years was estimated to be 33·1 million RSV-associated LRTI episodes, 3·2 million hospitalisations, and around 60 000 in-hospital deaths, but there were up to 118 200 estimated deaths when accounting for community-based mortality.1 The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study reported that in 2016, RSV accounted for 10·7 million LRTI episodes and more than 41 000 deaths in children younger than 5 years.