Epidemiology of Parvovirus B19 in Türkiye: A Descriptive Analysis of National Surveillance Data (2020-2024)
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Historically, B19V has predominantly been associated with minor outbreaks worldwide, especially in elementary schools, and remained localized.[3][4][5] The prevalence of B19V in developed countries ranges from 2% to 10% in children under five years of age, 40% to 60% in adults over 20 years of age, and 85% or higher in individuals aged 70 years and older.Every three to four years, there are minor epidemics that primarily affect school-age children.6 The virus is more widespread in late winter, spring, and early summer, with larger outbreaks occurring every 3-4 years.In 2017, a significant parvovirus outbreak with a seropositivity rate of 4.1% was documented in Denmark.7 In a small outbreak in Türkiye in 2010, the B19V immunoglobulin G (IgG)Background: Parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection occurs worldwide seasonally, especially in school-age children.Due to limited surveillance, clinicians report an increase of cases to identify outbreaks, while labs determine seropositivity rates.In 2024, B19V outbreak occurred in Türkiye and many other countries.Aims: To estimate incidences of B19V infection in Türkiye from 2020 to 2024 using National Infectious Disease Surveillance and Early Warning System (IZCI) and to determine case fatality rate (CFR) during the 2024 outbreak period. Study Design: Retrospective descriptive study.Methods: The number of cases was obtained from the syndromic surveillance of rash diseases in national database.All notifications with International Classification of Diseases, 10 th Revision diagnosis code "erythema infectiosum" within the syndromic surveillance were included in the study.All age groups were included in the study and no specific group was excluded.Annual estimated incidences were calculated for past 5 years.The distribution of cumulative incidence for the outbreak by age group and geographical regions was analysed.CFR was calculated for the outbreak period by using the proportion of people who have been diagnosed with B19V.Disease indicators were calculated as crude rates.Results: The estimated incidence in 2024 was 15.24 per 100,000.The peak of the outbreak was in May.The regions with the highest cumulative incidences during the outbreak period were the Black Sea, Marmara, and Central Anatolia.The highest cumulative incidence was 102.64 per 100,000 in 5-9 age group.The CFR was calculated as 0.0184% in the outbreak with 2 deaths out of 10,898 cases.Conclusion: Türkiye has experienced the largest B19V outbreak between February and June 2024.This study showed the unusual scale of B19V post-pandemic, suggesting that such outbreaks can be expected after pandemics.The establishment of syndromic surveillance has proved critical for early outbreak detection and response.
Source: Balkan Medical Journal
Authors: Kamer Kalip, Melik Toptaş, Gönül Çulha, Mehmet Balcı, Erdoğan Öz, Muhammed Emin Demirkol
Institution: Ministry of Health
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4410130300