After a resurgence in cases of the “fifth disease” and the death of five infants since the beginning of the year in France, contaminations are decreasing according to the latest bulletin from Public Health France.
- Since May 2023, Parvovirus B19 infections have been on the rise in France.
- Nicknamed the “fifth disease” or “slapped cheek” disease, this pathology has caused the death of five infants under the age of one, including four newborns in the first quarter of 2024.
- Since then, virological surveillance has shown that cases are decreasing in April and May, with no deaths reported.
In children, this disease is particularly recognizable by a strong redness in the cheeks and a mottled rash or raised red papules on the body: this is megalerythema epidemica, better known as “fifth disease”. Caused by an infection with Parvovirus B19 (B19V), this pathology owes its nickname to the list of viral infections causing skin reactions most frequently in young people. Since May 2023, its incidence has only increased in France.Its intensity increased in the last quarter of 2023 and appears to have peaked in March 2024, as shown by the decline in incidence in April and May.”, indicates Public Health France in its updated bulletin this Friday, June 28, 2024.
5 babies have died from B19V infection since the beginning of the year
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of deaths linked to this infection was on average 1.8/year and mainly affected adults. But in the first quarter of 2024, the organization already recorded five deaths of infants under one year old, including four newborns after maternal-fetal infection.Although this number remains low and consistent with the low severity of the infection, it should be monitored because it has increased significantly since 2022 in connection with the more active circulation of the virus. Three deaths were recorded in 2022 and six in 2023, the press release states. No deaths were recorded in April and May.”
Virological surveillance has shown that cases are decreasing in April and May in the three population groups considered: children under 15, women between 20 and 40 and other people aged 15 or over.The trend is confirmed by the number of visits to emergency rooms and medical visits and consultations, which are also down.”
“Slapped Cheek” Disease: What Are the Signs?
B19V infection most often remains asymptomatic. When it causes epidemic erythema, a slight fever, headache and/or a cold may accompany the cutaneous signs mentioned at the beginning of this article. These clinical signs appear after an incubation period of 4 to 21 days.
The main mode of transmission of the virus is the respiratory route but, as SPF reminds us, “This disease is not subject to any specific preventive measures, in particular school exclusion is not recommended”. However, it is recommended “to inform at-risk individuals [notamment l’enfant immunodéprimé/drépanocytaire, ndlr] and pregnant women when cluster cases or community cases occur in order to avoid contact”. Indeed, the virus can (in rare cases) cause miscarriage or death in newborns.
