Seasonality of influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus and metapneumovirus in patients managed at a tertiary care hospital in Martinique (French Caribbean Island), 2016–2021

Respiratory viruses show marked geographical variability in their temporal circulation, particularly in tropical settings where epidemiological data remain limited. Understanding local circulation patterns is essential to contextualize respiratory virus epidemiology outside temperate regions. We conducted a monocentric, hospital-based observational study including patients presenting with acute febrile respiratory syndromes at the University Hospital of Martinique between January 2016 and July 2021. Respiratory samples were tested by RT-PCR for influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus (RhV), and human metapneumovirus (hMPV). Viral circulation periods were defined as consecutive weeks with at least one positive detection. A total of 7,316 patients were included, of whom 86.2% were hospitalized. Influenza virus and RSV showed clear epidemic patterns, whereas RhV and hMPV circulated throughout the year. Influenza virus circulation generally occurred from November/December to April/May (mean duration 14.6 ± 3.0 weeks), while RSV circulation started earlier, from August/September to February/March (20.0 ± 2.9 weeks). Rhinovirus circulated year-round with reduced activity during mid-summer. The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in 2020 was associated with major disruptions in the circulation of influenza virus and RSV, while RhV circulation rapidly resumed. This retrospective hospital-based study identified distinct temporal patterns of viral detection among patients managed at a tertiary referral hospital in Martinique. These findings provide context-specific data on respiratory virus epidemiology in a tropical Caribbean island and may contribute to discussions on the timing of locally adapted preventive strategies.