PoC-ID addresses early and fast detection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, a major cause of disease burden in children but also a major diagnostics and management challenge in the daily practice.

RSV is the leading cause of acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) in children, estimated to cause approximately 33.8 million new episodes of ALRI in children annually. Annual RSV-related deaths have been estimated at 253.000, mainly in developing countries, and account for up to 6.7% of the mortality of children aged <1 year globally, positioning RSV as the second most important cause of death during infancy. In addition, to severe acute disease, RSV infection has been linked to an increased risk in the development of childhood wheezing and asthma in later life.

Any advance in RSV detection, clinical characterisation and cost reduction for diagnosis and treatment will have a major impact on the healthcare system.