New European project to get better view of RS

RS virus (respiratory syncytial virus) infection is a virus that can cause a respiratory infection

The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and Nivel are collaborating to create a European network to closely monitor respiratory syncytial virus RS. In this network, European health organizations and laboratories will share data on the spread of RS-virus. This provides a better view of the virus.

The network will also monitor the impact of interventions that help defend against respiratory syncytial virus RS, such as future vaccines. The network is part of a European research project: PROMISE. The official start of the project was on November 1, 2021. In the Netherlands, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment RIVM, Nivel and the UMC University Medical Center in Utrecht are participating as partners.

acute respiratory infection
RS (respiratory syncytial virus) infection is a virus that can cause a respiratory infection. The virus can infect young children, and sometimes the elderly, with serious illnesses. They develop shortness of breath due to inflammation of the small airways (bronchiolitis) or pneumonia. RS virus is a major cause of infant mortality worldwide.

Seeing the spread of the RS virus through data sharing
Organizations participating in the network will share data on the spread of the RS virus with each other. This is done in cooperation with the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (European Center for Disease Prevention and Control) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Optimal methods for detecting RS virus in vitro are also considered and investigated. The exchange of mutual data allows us to closely monitor the RS virus. This makes it possible, for example, to inform hospitals and policy makers early on about a possible epidemic of the RS virus.

ABOUT PROMISE Study
PROMISE stands for “Preparation for RSVR Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Surveillance in Europe”. It is a follow-up to the RESCEU (Respiratory Syncytial Virus Consortium in Europe) project. The main purpose of this project was to gain a better understanding of the occurrence of the RS virus and its impact on healthcare. The PROMISE project is funded by the European Commission through the Innovative Medicines Initiative, a public-private sector financing. The University Medical Center in Utrecht will conduct clinical research on the RS virus.