FOI reference: FOI-2025-2826

You asked

How many people have died of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) over the last 12 months? How many had pre-existing respiratory conditions? How many were over the age 80?

We said

Thank you for your request.  

We are responsible for the production of mortality and births statistics. These are derived from information collected at the registration of the birth or death.  

We do not currently hold analysis on the number of deaths registered due to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) over the last 12 months. However, we could create a custom output via our bespoke services route. 

Information on the number of deaths due to Respiratory Syncytial Virus by age group in 2024 and provisional monthly figures for 2025, along with other special extracts and tabulations of mortality data for England and Wales are available to order, subject to legal frameworks, disclosure control, resources and agreements of costs in line with our Charging Policy. 

While the causal chain that led to death, and other relevant conditions, are both included on the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death in parts 1 and 2 respectively, it is not guaranteed that all other respiratory conditions would be mentioned by certifier (i.e they may only appear on the deceased's wider medical records, which are not available as part of the mortality data). However, any custom output ordered could potentially include information on the other conditions that are recorded (as above, subject to disclosure control). 

Please contact Health.Data@ons.gov.uk for more information on this service.