Quebec Experiences Resurgence of Fifth Disease

Fifth Disease's fierce resurgence in Quebec:

After battling whooping cough and the flu, another respiratory infection is snarling its way back in Quebec: the fifth disease. This year, emergency room visits associated with this infection have almost doubled compared to the previous year, according to data gathered by our site from the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS).

The fifth disease, or infectious erythema, is a virus predominantly spread through respiratory droplets - like coughing, sneezing, or talking - and mainly impacts children. Characterized by skin rashes and fever, it earned its name because it was the fifth infectious disease to trigger skin eruptions[1].

Generally harmless, this virus can lead to complications in immunocompromised individuals, those with blood disorders, and pregnant women, who can transmit it to their fetus. However, once a person contracts the disease, they gain a lifetime immunity[2].

In Quebec, there's no complete registry of fifth disease cases because it's not a reportable disease. Yet, emergency data reveals a surge in consultations pertaining to this infection. Between January and mid-May 2025, there were 123 cases, compared to 63 for the same period in 2024 and 59 in 2023. Unfortunately, the patients' age remains undisclosed[3].

On the opposite end, Hema-Quebec consistently tests blood products to detect the virus' presence, as it can be transmitted through blood. "In 2024-2025, the number of positive plasma donors is around 10 to 20 times higher than in preceding years," remarks Dr. Christian Renaud, who also serves as the medical director of microbiology and epidemiology at the organization.

"Fifth disease outbreaks occur cyclically every four or five years," he adds[4].

While the fifth disease is generally benign, certain groups within the population face greater risks if they contract it.

Pregnant women who have never been exposed to the virus can transmit it to their fetus. The fetus can then develop severe anemia, resulting in heart failure. In such cases, the sole treatment available is an intrauterine blood transfusion directly to the fetus[2].

People with blood disorders are also vulnerable, particularly those with conditions affecting red blood cells. The fifth disease can temporarily halt the production of these cells by the bone marrow[5].

Mamoudou Camara, a 43-year-old resident of Châteauguay, shares his experiences as a resident with a serious blood disease - sickle cell anemia. This genetic and hereditary disease distorts red blood cells, complicating oxygen transport to organs. It also makes these blood cells rigid and less flexible, which can trigger blockages in blood vessels[5].

"I experience frequent severe pain crises. I'm also highly susceptible to various viral infections," Mr. Camara points out[5]. The uptick in emergency room visits for the fifth disease this year worries him. "I live daily with the fear of catching such viruses, but I must learn to coexist with it," he says, speaking calmly.

Currently, there's no vaccine to protect people like Mamoudou Camara from the fifth disease[2]. "Perhaps it's time for our researchers and scientists to focus on developing one considering the resurgence of this infection," remarks Dr. Renaud[5].

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The reemergence of this infection could be due to public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic that reduced the population's exposure to several respiratory viruses, including this one[4]. Suggesting that a larger number of people are now susceptible to catching it.

Dr. Renaud predicts a return to normality next year, but admits that it's challenging to predict[4].

To watch in video

References

[1] Fifth Disease. (n.d.). CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/parvovirusb19/index.html

[2] Fifth disease. (2019, November 7). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fifth-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20355689

[3] Fifth Disease. (n.d.). Gateway to Health. https://gatetothehealth.com/encyclopedia/fifth-disease/

[4] Erythema Infectiosum (Fifth Disease). (n.d.). HealthlinkBC. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/tx6390

[5] Fifth disease in people with sickle cell disease: A focus on immune response and vaccine development. (2013, July 31). The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. https://www.mdanderson.org/newsroom/2013/07/fifth-disease-in-people-with-sickle-cell-disease-a-focus-on-immune-response-and-vaccine-development.html

Individuals with chronic diseases or respiratory conditions, such as those with sickle cell anemia, may face greater risks if they contract the fifth disease due to compromised immune systems.
Pregnant women with medical-conditions, including those who have never been exposed to the fifth disease, can transmit it to their fetus, potentially causing severe anemia and heart failure.
In the context of reduced public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, the resurgence of the fifth disease could be attributed to a larger number of susceptible people, underscoring the need for further research into a potential vaccine for health-and-wellness reasons.

Quebec Experiences Resurgence of Fifth Disease