Epidemiology and genetic characterization of respiratory syncytial virus in children with acute respiratory infections: Findings from the influenza sentinel surveillance network in Central African Republic, 2015 to 2018.

Background And Aims: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the main viral pathogens causing acute respiratory infections in children under 5 years of age but has seldom been studied in Central African Republic (CAF). Taking advantage of the national influenza surveillance network in CAF, this study aimed at providing the first insights into RSV prevalence and seasonality over 4 years of surveillance and the clinical manifestations of RSV in this population in CAF.

Methods: A total of 3903 children under 5 years matching the influenza-like illness (ILI, 68.