MANILA, Philippines — Health experts on Friday warned the public against influenza-like illnesses (ILIs), particularly respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), as data shows that elderly hospitalizations reach approximately 100,000 annually.
According to data from the RSV Surveillance Project, RSV is a major cause of hospitalization among older adults, with an estimated 60,000 to 100,000 cases each year.
“These alarming numbers make preventing RSV more urgent than ever, especially considering that severe illness can now be reduced through vaccination,” said Teodoro Padilla, executive director of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP).
The surveillance also found that the virus has an overall positivity rate of 20 percent from Jan. 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025, rising to as high as 66.7 percent during periods of cooler weather.
RSV is a common respiratory infection that causes mild, cold-like symptoms but can lead to severe lung or heart complications among infants, young children, adults aged 60 and older, and individuals with underlying health conditions.
While no cure for RSV has been identified to date, PHAP stressed the need for prevention through awareness campaigns.