Parvovirus B19, known for its distinctive “slapped-cheek” rash, is currently on the rise in the US, according to a health alert from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While routine surveillance for this virus is lacking, several indicators suggest the virus is spreading widely right now, the public health agency said. Doctors have observed unusual numbers of parvovirus-related complications among two high-risk groups: pregnant individuals and patients with blood disorders.
As of June, laboratory data revealed that about 10 per cent of the US population—and 40 per cent of children aged 5 to 9—had antibodies suggesting that they were recently infected, the CDC reported. The alert in the US follows reports from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, which noted unusually high parvovirus cases in 14 European countries, including France, Spain, and Germany, in early 2024. Here’s a closer look at what we know about this disease.
What is Parvovirus B19 virus? As per Cleveland Clinic , Parvovirus B19, often referred to as the “fifth disease,” is a common virus that primarily affects children. The term originates from the string of viral skin rashes that infected children, where it was ranked fifth after measles, rubella, chickenpox, and roseola. Infections with Parvovirus B19 are most frequent during late winter, spring, and early summer.
The National Library of Medicine notes that “mini-outbreaks” of the virus occur approximatel.