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The study findings demonstrated a high incidence of pneumonia associated with respiratory virus infection among children aged <2 years. These children were under close follow up and received timely treatment and referral services when necessary. Children under such close surveillance are likely to under represent severe illness [46]. Other than influenza, there are no safe and effective vaccines to prevent childhood virus respiratory infections. Our data suggests that influenza infection was prevalent in children aged <6 months old, a group that could benefit from maternal immunization against influenza infection [47]. Further research on developing safe and effective vaccines, especially for RSV, could also play an instrumental role in reducing the disease burden.
In the meantime, in low-income settings research focused on developing cost-effective interventions to address modifiable risk factors such as improved hygienic behavior, air quality, breast feeding practices and nutrition [2], [48], [49], [50] may help reduce the overall burden of respiratory tract infection in children.
