Parvovirus B19 Incidence Rises, CDC Issues Alert
The CDC has issued an alert about the rising incidence of parvovirus B19, also known as fifth disease, which poses significant health risks.
The incidence of parvovirus B19, often called fifth disease, has shown a notable increase, according to an alert issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Notably, this spike is so dangerous because this is exactly how this ailment, which belongs to the same group as COVID-19, is transmitted. During the pandemic, strict COVID prevention measures have been taken, and the incidence of parvovirus has become much lower, also reducing the antigen-based herd immunity.
All the stated claims are supported by the most recent data, which comes right from the CDC information system. Thus, it is possible to see a certain acceleration of antibodies showing, which started to reach below 3% of positive cases in 2022-24 on a production basis and doubled by June 2023. As for the most dangerous risk groups are sickle cell disease and pregnant individuals because their offspring may suffer from severe fetal anemia and aplastic anemia, respectively. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine against it, so the general precautions are similar to those related to COVID: one needs to wash hands regularly, carefully wash surfaces, and wear the mask in severe cases.
