scholarly journals Rapid disappearance of influenza following the implementation of COVID-19 mitigation measures in Hamilton, Ontario

2021 ◽  
Vol 47 (04) ◽  
pp. 202-208
Author(s):  
Kevin Zhang ◽  
Avika Misra ◽  
Patrick J Kim ◽  
Seyed M Moghadas ◽  
Joanne M Langley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Respiratory Virus ◽  
Respiratory Viruses ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Bayesian Linear Regression ◽  
Syncytial Virus ◽  
The Impact

Background: Public health measures, such as physical distancing and closure of schools and non-essential services, were rapidly implemented in Canada to interrupt the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We sought to investigate the impact of mitigation measures during the spring wave of COVID-19 on the incidence of other laboratory-confirmed respiratory viruses in Hamilton, Ontario. Methods: All nasopharyngeal swab specimens (n=57,503) submitted for routine respiratory virus testing at a regional laboratory serving all acute-care hospitals in Hamilton between January 2010 and June 2020 were reviewed. Testing for influenza A and B, respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza I–III, adenovirus, and rhinovirus/enterovirus was done routinely using a laboratory-developed polymerase chain reaction multiplex respiratory viral panel. A Bayesian linear regression model was used to determine the trend of positivity rates of all influenza samples for the first 26 weeks of each year from 2010 to 2019. The mean positivity rate of Bayesian inference was compared with the weekly reported positivity rate of influenza samples in 2020. Results: The positivity rate of influenza in 2020 diminished sharply following the population-wide implementation of COVID-19 interventions. Weeks 12–26 reported 0% positivity for influenza, with the exception of 0.1% reported in week 13. Conclusion: Public health measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with a reduced incidence of other respiratory viruses and should be considered to mitigate severe seasonal influenza and other respiratory virus pandemics.

scholarly journals Rapid disappearance of influenza following the implementation of COVID-19 mitigation measures in Hamilton, Ontario

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Zhang ◽  
Avika Misra ◽  
Patrick J. Kim ◽  
Seyed M. Moghadas ◽  
Joanne M. Langley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Respiratory Virus ◽  
Respiratory Viruses ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Syncytial Virus ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Impact

AbstractBackgroundPublic health measures, such as social distancing and closure of schools and non-essential services, were rapidly implemented in Canada to interrupt the spread of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).ObjectiveWe sought to investigate the impact of mitigation measures during the spring wave of COVID-19 on the incidence of other laboratory-confirmed respiratory viruses in Hamilton, Ontario.MethodsAll nasopharyngeal swab specimens (n = 57,503) submitted for routine respiratory virus testing at a regional laboratory serving all acute-care hospitals in Hamilton, Ontario between January 2010 and June 2020 were reviewed. Testing for influenza A/B, respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza I–III, adenovirus and rhinovirus/enterovirus was done routinely using a laboratory-developed polymerase chain reaction multiplex respiratory viral panel. A Bayesian linear regression model was used to determine the trend of positivity rates of all influenza samples for the first 26 weeks of each year from 2010 to 2019. The mean positivity rate of Bayesian inference was compared with the weekly reported positivity rate of influenza samples in 2020.ResultsThe positivity rate of influenza in 2020 diminished sharply following the population-wide implementation of COVID-19 interventions. Weeks 12-26 reported 0% positivity for influenza, with the exception of 0.1% reported in week 13.ConclusionsPublic health measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with a reduced incidence of other respiratory viruses and should be considered to mitigate severe seasonal influenza and other respiratory virus pandemics.

scholarly journals The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and other seasonal respiratory virus circulation in Canada

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
HE Groves ◽  
P Piché-Renaud ◽  
A Peci ◽  
DS Farrar ◽  
S Buckrell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Respiratory Virus ◽  
Influenza Season ◽  
Virus Detection ◽  
Respiratory Viruses ◽  
Seasonal Epidemic ◽  
Syncytial Virus ◽  
The Impact

AbstractBackgroundThe ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in implementation of public health measures worldwide to mitigate disease spread, including; travel restrictions, lockdowns, messaging on handwashing, use of face coverings and physical distancing. As the pandemic progresses, exceptional decreases in seasonal respiratory viruses are increasingly reported. We aimed to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on circulation of influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and other seasonal respiratory viruses in Canada.MethodsEpidemiologic data were obtained from the Canadian Respiratory Virus Detection Surveillance System. Weekly data from the week ending 30th August 2014 until the week ending the 13th February 2021 were analysed. We compared trends in laboratory detection and test volumes during the 2020/2021 influenza season with baseline pre-pandemic seasons from 2014 to 2019.FindingsWe observed a dramatically lower percentage of tests positive for all seasonal respiratory viruses during 2020-2021 compared to baseline. For influenza A and B the percent positive decreased to 0·0017 and 0·0061 times that of baseline respectively and for RSV, the percent positive dropped to 0·0145 times that of baseline. Ongoing detection of enterovirus/rhinovirus occurred, with regional variation in the epidemic patterns and intensity.InterpretationWe report an effective absence of the annual seasonal epidemic of most seasonal respiratory viruses in 2020/2021. This dramatic decrease is likely related to implementation of multi-layered public health measures during the pandemic. The impact of such measures may have relevance for public health practice in mitigating seasonal respiratory virus epidemics and for informing responses to future respiratory virus pandemics.FundingNo additional funding source was required for this study.Research in contextEvidence before this studyWe searched PubMed, preprint servers and country-specific public health rapid communications to identify surveillance and epidemiological studies on influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and other seasonal respiratory virus detection during the COVID-19 pandemic. A number of regional and national studies were identified worldwide. The majority of these studies focus on influenza epidemiology and all studies show consistent decreases in circulation of seasonal non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viruses. One previous study on the impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions on laboratory detections of influenza A and B in Canada included data for the 2019/2020 influenza season. Another recent study examined the effect of seasonal respiratory virus transmission on COVID-19 syndromic surveillance in the province of Ontario, Canada. No previous Canada-wide study has described the epidemiology of influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and other seasonal respiratory virus detection during the 2020/2021 influenza season.Added value of this studyThe Canadian Respiratory Virus Detection Surveillance System provides weekly respiratory virus detection reports from sentinel laboratories across Canada for influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza viruses, adenovirus, human metapneumovirus, enterovirus/rhinovirus and seasonal coronaviruses. Data have been collected continuously since 2004. Analysis of this dataset provides a comprehensive assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on circulation of seasonal respiratory viruses in Canada and analysis of data from the Canadian Public Health Infobase on COVID-19 allowed comparison of SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology. This is the first country-wide study in the Northern hemisphere to describe the concurrent epidemiology of all major seasonal respiratory viruses and SARS-CoV-2 during the 2020/2021 influenza season.Implications of all the available evidenceThe effective absence of the annual seasonal epidemic for most non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viruses in 2020/2021 has important public health implications for informing ongoing and future responses to respiratory virus epidemics and pandemics.

scholarly journals Coinfections with Respiratory Pathogens among COVID-19 Patients in Korea

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Kyoung Ho Roh ◽  
Yu Kyung Kim ◽  
Shin-Woo Kim ◽  
Eun-Rim Kang ◽  
Yong-Jin Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza A ◽  
Pathogen Detection ◽  
Respiratory Virus ◽  
Respiratory Viruses ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Respiratory Pathogen ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Respiratory Pathogens ◽  
Oropharyngeal Swab ◽  
Syncytial Virus

The detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in upper and lower respiratory specimens and coinfection with other respiratory pathogens in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was investigated. Study subjects (N = 342) were retrospectively enrolled after being confirmed as SARS-CoV-2 positive, and their nasopharyngeal swab (NPS), oropharyngeal swab (OPS), and sputum specimens were restored for SARS-CoV-2 retesting and respiratory pathogen detection. The majority of the subjects (96.5%, N = 330) were confirmed as SARS-CoV-2 positive using NPS/OPS specimens. Among the COVID-19 patients (N = 342), 7.9% (N = 27) and 0.9% (N = 3) were coinfected with respiratory viruses and Mycoplasma pneumoniae, respectively, yielding an 8.8% (N = 30) overall respiratory pathogen coinfection rate. Of the respiratory virus coinfection cases (N = 27), 92.6% (N = 25) were coinfected with a single respiratory virus and 7.4% (N = 2) with two viruses (metapneumovirus/adenovirus and rhinovirus/bocavirus). No triple coinfections of other respiratory viruses or bacteria with SARS-CoV-2 were detected. Respiratory viruses coinfected in the patients with COVID-19 were as follows: rhinovirus (N = 7, 2.1%), respiratory syncytial virus A and B (N = 6, 1.8%), non-SARS-CoV-2 coronaviruses (229E, NL63, and OC43, N = 5, 1.5%), metapneumovirus (N = 4, 1.2%), influenza A (N = 3, 0.9%), adenovirus (N = 3, 0.9%), and bocavirus (N = 1, 0.3%). In conclusion, the diagnostic value of utilizing NPS/OPS specimens is excellent, and, as the first report in Korea, coinfection with respiratory pathogens was detected at a rate of 8.8% in patients with COVID-19.

scholarly journals Multi-center Evaluation of the Cepheid Xpert® Xpress SARS-CoV-2/Flu/RSV Test

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heba H. Mostafa ◽  
Karen C. Carroll ◽  
Rachel Hicken ◽  
Gregory J. Berry ◽  
Ryhana Manji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Respiratory Virus ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Nucleic Acid Amplification ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
Syncytial Virus

With the approach of respiratory virus season in the Northern Hemisphere, clinical microbiology and public health laboratories will need rapid diagnostic assays to distinguish SARS-CoV-2 from influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections for diagnosis and surveillance. In this study, the clinical performance of the Xpert® Xpress SARS-CoV-2/Flu/RSV test (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) for nasopharyngeal swab specimens was evaluated in four centers: Johns Hopkins Medical Microbiology Laboratory, Northwell Health Laboratories, NYC Public Health Laboratory, and Los Angeles County/University of Southern California (LAC+USC) Medical Center. A total of 319 nasopharyngeal swab specimens, positive for SARS-CoV-2 (n = 75), influenza A (n = 65), influenza B (n = 50), RSV (n = 38), or negative (n = 91) by the standard of care nucleic acid amplification tests at each site were tested using the Cepheid panel test. The overall positive percent agreement for the SARS-CoV-2 target was 98.7% (n= 74/75) and the negative agreement was 100% (n= 91) with all other analytes showing 100% total agreement (n= 153). Standard of care tests to which the Cepheid panel was compared included the Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2, Cepheid Xpert Xpress Flu/RSV, the GenMark ePlex respiratory panel, the BioFire Respiratory panels 2.1 and v1.7, the DiaSorin Simplexa COVID-19 Direct, and the Hologic Panther Fusion SARS-CoV-2 assays. The Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2/Flu/RSV test showed high sensitivity and accuracy for all analytes included in the test. This test will provide a valuable clinical diagnostic and public health solution for detecting and differentiating SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and B, and RSV infections during the current respiratory virus season.

Estimating the Impact of Non-pharmaceutical Interventions Against COVID-19 on Mumps Incidence in Sichuan, China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenqiang Zhang ◽  
Rongsheng Luan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Respiratory Virus ◽  
Moving Average ◽  
Sarima Model ◽  
Potential Reduction ◽  
Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Virus Incidence ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Pharmaceutical Interventions

Abstract Background: A series of social and public health measures have been implemented to contain coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China. We examined the impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions against COVID-19 on mumps incidence as an agent to determine the potential reduction in other respiratory virus incidence.Methods: We modelled mumps incidence per month in Sichuan using a seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) model, based on the reported number of mumps cases per month from 2017-2020. Results: The epidemic peak of mumps in 2020 is lower than in the preceding years. Whenever compared with the projected cases or the average from corresponding periods in the preceding years (2017-2019), the reported cases in 2020 markedly declined (P<0.001). From January to December, the number of mumps cases was estimated to decrease by 36.3% (33.9% - 38.8%), 34.3% (31.1% - 37.8%), 68.9% (66.1% - 71.6%), 76.0% (73.9% - 77.9%), 67.0% (65.0% - 69.0%), 59.6% (57.6% - 61.6%), 61.1% (58.8% - 63.3%), 49.2% (46.4% - 52.1%), 24.4% (22.1% - 26.8%), 30.0% (27.5% - 32.6%), 42.1% (39.6% - 44.7%), 63.5% (61.2% - 65.8%), respectively. The total number of mumps cases in 2020 was estimated to decrease by 53.6% (52.9% - 54.3%).Conclusion: Our study shows that non-pharmaceutical interventions against COVID-19 have had an effective impact on mumps incidence in Sichuan, China.

scholarly journals Comparison of detection rate of 16 sampling methods for respiratory viruses: a Bayesian network meta-analysis of clinical data and systematic review

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (11) ◽  
pp. e003053
Author(s):  
Nianzong Hou ◽  
Kai Wang ◽  
Haiyang Zhang ◽  
Mingjian Bai ◽  
Hao Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza A ◽  
Detection Rate ◽  
Sampling Methods ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Splitting Method ◽  
Respiratory Viruses ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Specific Virus ◽  
Syncytial Virus

BackgroundRespiratory viruses (RVs) is a common cause of illness in people of all ages, at present, different types of sampling methods are available for respiratory viral diagnosis. However, the diversity of available sampling methods and the limited direct comparisons in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) make decision-making difficult. We did a network meta-analysis, which accounted for both direct and indirect comparisons, to determine the detection rate of different sampling methods for RVs.MethodsRelevant articles were retrieved comprehensively by searching the online databases of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane published before 25 March 2020. With the help of R V.3.6.3 software and ‘GeMTC V.0.8.2’ package, network meta-analysis was performed within a Bayesian framework. Node-splitting method and I2 test combined leverage graphs and Gelman-Rubin-Brooks plots were conducted to evaluate the model’s accuracy. The rank probabilities in direct and cumulative rank plots were also incorporated to rank the corresponding sampling methods for overall and specific virus.Results16 sampling methods with 54 438 samples from 57 literatures were ultimately involved in this study. The model indicated good consistency and convergence but high heterogeneity, hence, random-effect analysis was applied. The top three sampling methods for RVs were nasopharyngeal wash (NPW), mid-turbinate swab (MTS) and nasopharyngeal swab (NPS). Despite certain differences, the results of virus-specific subanalysis were basically consistent with RVs: MTS, NPW and NPS for influenza; MTS, NPS and NPW for influenza-a and b; saliva, NPW and NPS for rhinovirus and parainfluenza; NPW, MTS and nasopharyngeal aspirate for respiratory syncytial virus; saliva, NPW and MTS for adenovirus and sputum; MTS and NPS for coronavirus.ConclusionThis network meta-analysis provides supporting evidences that NPW, MTS and NPS have higher diagnostic value regarding RVs infection, moreover, particular preferred methods should be considered in terms of specific virus pandemic. Of course, subsequent RCTs with larger samples are required to validate our findings.

scholarly journals Respiratory virus surveillance in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic: An epidemiological analysis of the effectiveness of pandemic-related public health measures in reducing seasonal respiratory viruses test positivity

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0253451
Author(s):  
Kyu Young Park ◽  
Sumin Seo ◽  
Junhee Han ◽  
Ji Young Park
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Respiratory Virus ◽  
Influenza Season ◽  
National Level ◽  
Virus Detection ◽  
Respiratory Viruses ◽  
Surveillance Data ◽  
Time Series Regression ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Virus Surveillance

Background Various public health measures have been implemented globally to counter the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The purpose of this study was to evaluate respiratory virus surveillance data to determine the effectiveness of such interventions in reducing transmission of seasonal respiratory viruses. Method We retrospectively analysed data from the Respiratory Virus Detection Surveillance System in Canada, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, by interrupted time series regression. Results The national level of infection with seasonal respiratory viruses, which generally does not necessitate quarantine or contact screening, was greatly reduced after Canada imposed physical distancing and other quarantine measures. The 2019–2020 influenza season ended earlier than it did in the previous year. The influenza virus was replaced by rhinovirus/enterovirus or parainfluenza virus in the previous year, with the overall test positivity remaining at approximately 35%. However, during the 2019–2020 post-influenza period, the overall test positivity of respiratory viruses during the COVID-19 was still low (7.2%). Moreover, the 2020–2021 influenza season had not occurred by the end of February 2021. Conclusion Respiratory virus surveillance data may provide real-world evidence of the effectiveness of implemented public health interventions during the current and future pandemics.

scholarly journals The Effect of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Mitigation Strategies on Seasonal Respiratory Viruses: A Tale of 2 Large Metropolitan Centers in the United States

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy C Sherman ◽  
Ahmed Babiker ◽  
Andrew J Sieben ◽  
Alexander Pyden ◽  
James Steinberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
The United States ◽  
Respiratory Viruses ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Reproductive Rates ◽  
The Impact

Abstract To assess the impact of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic on seasonal respiratory viruses, absolute case counts and viral reproductive rates from 2019–2020 were compared against previous seasons. Our findings suggest that the public health measures implemented to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission significantly reduced the transmission of other respiratory viruses.

scholarly journals Epidemiological and virological characteristics of respiratory tract infections in children during COVID-19 outbreak

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yueling Zhu ◽  
Wei Li ◽  
Binbin Yang ◽  
Ruiying Qian ◽  
Fang Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Respiratory Viruses ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Outpatient Visits ◽  
Syncytial Virus ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background To investigate the impact of protective measures and isolation on respiratory tract infections in children during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods We extracted data on outpatient visits and respiratory infection visits, and tests of respiratory viruses (adenovirus (ADV), influenza A (FluA), influenza B (FluB) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)) from electronic healthcare records in Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine during the COVID-19 outbreak (January–April, 2020), compared with those in 2018 and 2019 during the same periods. Results We found that outpatient visits in January, 2020 was comparable with those in 2018 and 2019, but decreased by 59.9% (288,003 vs. 717,983) and 57.4% (288,003 vs. 676,704), respectively during the period of February-April, 2020, as compared with the same periods in 2018 and 2019. The total number of respiratory tract infections from January to April 2020 decreased by 65.7% (119,532 vs.348,762) and 59.0% (119,532 vs.291,557), respectively compared with the same periods in 2018 and 2019. The proportion of respiratory tract infections during the outbreak also dropped compared with the same periods in 2018 and 2019 (P<0.001). We also found significantly decreased number of completed tests for respiratory viruses and positive cases of ADV, FluA, FluB, and RSV during February-April, 2020. Conclusions In this study, we found that outpatient visits and respiratory tract infections in children significantly decreased during COVID-19 outbreak. Adequate protective measures and isolation in children may help to prevent respiratory virus infections in children.

scholarly journals Surveillance of respiratory viruses among children attending a primary school in rural coastal Kenya

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Wangwa Adema ◽  
Everlyn Kamau ◽  
Joyce Uchi Nyiro ◽  
Grieven P. Otieno ◽  
Clement Lewa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
School Children ◽  
Respiratory Virus ◽  
Healthcare Facility ◽  
Respiratory Viruses ◽  
Outpatient Setting ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Coastal Kenya ◽  
Syncytial Virus

Background: Respiratory viruses are primary agents of respiratory tract diseases. Knowledge on the types and frequency of respiratory viruses affecting school-children is important in determining the role of schools in transmission in the community and identifying targets for interventions. Methods: We conducted a one-year (term-time) surveillance of respiratory viruses in a rural primary school in Kilifi County, coastal Kenya between May 2017 and April 2018. A sample of 60 students with symptoms of ARI were targeted for nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) collection weekly.  Swabs were screened for 15 respiratory virus targets using real time PCR diagnostics. Data from respiratory virus surveillance at the local primary healthcare facility was used for comparison. Results: Overall, 469 students aged 2-19 years were followed up for 220 days. A total of 1726 samples were collected from 325 symptomatic students; median age of 7 years (IQR 5-11). At least one virus target was detected in 384 (22%) of the samples with a frequency of 288 (16.7%) for rhinovirus, 47 (2.7%) parainfluenza virus, 35 (2.0%) coronavirus, 15 (0.9%) adenovirus, 11 (0.6%) respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and 5 (0.3%) influenza virus.  The proportion of virus positive samples was higher among lower grades compared to upper grades (25.9% vs 17.5% respectively; χ2 = 17.2, P -value <0.001). Individual virus target frequencies did not differ by age, sex, grade, school term or class size. Rhinovirus was predominant in both the school and outpatient setting. Conclusion: Multiple respiratory viruses circulated in this rural school population.  Rhinovirus was dominant in both the school and outpatient setting and RSV was of notably low frequency in the school. The role of school children in transmitting viruses to the household setting is still unclear and further studies linking molecular data to contact patterns between the school children and their households are required.

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