Weekly RSV Hospitalization Rates by Demographic Group

Weekly rates of laboratory-confirmed RSV hospitalizations are tracked by the CDC's RSV-NET surveillance system. Data includes metrics by age category, sex, race, and state for multiple seasons. Preliminary figures are updated weekly by data.cdc.gov.

Use Cases

• Analyze weekly Rate and Cumulative Rate trends by State and Season to monitor RSV outbreak progression.
• Model disparities in hospitalization rates by comparing Rate across Race, Age Category, and Sex columns.
• Forecast future RSV hospitalizations using time-series features like Week ending date and Season.
• Compare RSV burden across different Age Category groups, such as children under 18 versus adults.

Strengths

• Data is updated weekly, providing near-real-time surveillance signals.
• Includes multiple demographic breakdowns via Race, Age Category, Sex, and State columns.
• Part of a coordinated surveillance network (RESP-NET) using standardized methods.

Limitations

• Data is labeled preliminary and subject to change, indicating potential revisions.
• Surveillance areas and age groups have changed over time, complicating trend analysis.
• Sample size and row count are unknown, limiting assessment of statistical power.

Provenance

Source

data.cdc.gov via the RSV Hospitalization Surveillance Network (RSV-NET).

Collection Method

Active, population-based surveillance for laboratory-confirmed RSV-associated hospitalizations.

Time Range

Multiple Seasons covered, specific range unknown.

Freshness

Updated weekly; last metadata update was 2026-04-02.

Geography

Includes State-level data; full spatial coverage of surveillance area unknown.