Disease burden of viral respiratory infections in people with intellectual disabilities: a scoping review.

Publication date: Aug 11, 2026

Viral respiratory infections are highly contagious and associated with an increased risk of serious adverse health outcomes in vulnerable populations, including people with intellectual disabilities. However, little is known about the overall disease burden of viral respiratory infections among people with intellectual disabilities. This scoping review aims to provide an overview of the existing literature on the disease burden of viral respiratory infections among people with intellectual disabilities. Studies published between 1999 and 10 July 2024, were identified through PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase and Web of Science, and included if focused on adults with intellectual disabilities, viral respiratory infections and relevant health outcomes such as infection rate, mortality, hospitalisation, functional impairments or quality of life. 58 articles were included, of which the majority focused on COVID-19 (42/58) or influenza (13/58). Studies varied in their methodology and outcome measures. Evidence on COVID-19 and influenza showed that people with intellectual disabilities experience a higher disease burden from these infections compared with the general population. Particularly disproportionate effects were evident among people with Down syndrome, who had higher mortality estimates and an increased burden of comorbidities associated with severe disease and death. Although available evidence appeared limited and diverse, this scoping review shows a higher disease burden in people with intellectual disabilities, in particular for COVID-19 and influenza-type viruses, which can be indicative of the impact of other viral respiratory infections as well. This highlights the importance of measures to prevent and control the spread of respiratory pathogens among this group.

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