Human parvovirus B19, also known as "slapped cheek disease," is on the rise in the United States, especially among young children. The highly contagious respiratory infection is usually mild in healthy people but can cause complications in certain individuals. On Tuesday, the U.
S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warning about an increase in parvovirus B19 activity, with the greatest surge in cases of the virus among children ages five to nine. The proportion of people of all ages in the U.
S. with antibodies for parvovirus B19, a sign of recent infection, rose from less than 3% during 2022–2024 to 10% in June 2024, the CDC said. Among children ages five to nine, it increased from 15% to 40%.
Additionally, the CDC said it has received increased reports of clusters of parvovirus B19-associated complications among pregnant people and people with sickle cell disease. The advisory comes after public health authorities in Europe reported unusually high numbers of parvovirus B19 cases in 14 countries during the first quarter of 2024, the agency said. What is parvovirus B19, what are the symptoms to watch out for and how does it spread? Here's what to know about the common viral disease.
Human parvovirus B19 is a common and highly contagious seasonal respiratory infection, Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, tells TODAY.com.
Infections are most common in the late spring and summer. The infection is commonly call.