School absence data for influenza surveillance: a pilot study in the United Kingdom

School-age children are at a high risk of acute respiratory virus infections including the 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1). School absence records have been suggested as a tool for influenza surveillance. We analysed absence records from six primary schools (children aged from around five to 11 years) in London during the years 2005 to 2007 in order to provide baseline epidemiological characteristics of illness-related school absence, and to correlate school absence with seasonal influenza. The daily average prevalence of absence due to illness was 2.9%. The incidence was 1.3% per person-day. The mean duration of absence was 1.8 days (SD 1.8). Over 60% of absence episodes lasted for one day. Absence prevalence did not differ by sex. Prevalence was highest in the youngest children and then declined slightly, but was again high again in the oldest. Absence was slightly higher on Mondays and Fridays. In general, peaks of absenteeism coincided with peaks of influenza A and B (laboratory reports) but several high peaks were not associated with influenza. There was a better correlation between absence and laboratory reports and prevalence compared to incidence. School absence data may be useful for the detection of localised school outbreaks and as an additional surveillance tool but are limited by lack of data on weekends and during holidays.

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Descriptive clinical and epidemiological characteristics of influenza A H1N1 2009 virus infections in pigs in England

Veterinary Record ◽

10.1136/vr.100673 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 171 (11) ◽

pp. 271-271 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

S. M. Williamson ◽

A. W. Tucker ◽

I. S. McCrone ◽

C. A. Bidewell ◽

N. Brons ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza A ◽

Virus Infections ◽

Influenza A H1n1 ◽

Epidemiological Characteristics

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Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of acute respiratory virus infections in Vietnamese children

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s095026881500134x ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 144 (3) ◽

pp. 527-536 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

D. N. TRAN ◽

Q. D. TRINH ◽

N. T. K. PHAM ◽

M. P. VU ◽

M. T. HA ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza A ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Age Groups ◽

Ho Chi Minh City ◽

Human Bocavirus ◽

Virus Infections ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Syncytial Virus ◽

Respiratory Virus Infections ◽

Epidemiological Characteristics

SUMMARYInformation about viral acute respiratory infections (ARIs) is essential for prevention, diagnosis and treatment, but it is limited in tropical developing countries. This study described the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of ARIs in children hospitalized in Vietnam. Nasopharyngeal samples were collected from children with ARIs at Ho Chi Minh City Children's Hospital 2 between April 2010 and May 2011 in order to detect respiratory viruses by polymerase chain reaction. Viruses were found in 64% of 1082 patients, with 12% being co-infections. The leading detected viruses were human rhinovirus (HRV; 30%), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV; 23·8%), and human bocavirus (HBoV; 7·2%). HRV was detected all year round, while RSV epidemics occurred mainly in the rainy season. Influenza A (FluA) was found in both seasons. The other viruses were predominant in the dry season. HRV was identified in children of all age groups. RSV, parainfluenza virus (PIV) 1, PIV3 and HBoV, and FluA were detected predominantly in children aged <6 months, 6–12 months, 12–24 months, and >24 months, respectively. Significant associations were found between PIV1 with croup (P < 0·005) and RSV with bronchiolitis (P < 0·005). HBoV and HRV were associated with hypoxia (P < 0·05) and RSV with retraction (P < 0·05). HRV, RSV, and HBoV were detected most frequently and they may increase the severity of ARIs in children.

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Surveillance of influenza in the post-pandemic period in the Vojvodina, Serbia, October 2010 - May 2015

Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo ◽

10.2298/sarh160901068r ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 145 (7-8) ◽

pp. 387-393

Author(s):

Mioljub Ristic ◽

Vesna Stojanovic ◽

Vesna Milosevic ◽

Jelena Radovanov ◽

Tihomir Dugandzija ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza A ◽

Laboratory Data ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

Respiratory Illness ◽

Laboratory Method ◽

World Health ◽

School Age Children ◽

Influenza Surveillance ◽

Influenza B ◽

Influenza A H1n1

Introduction/Objective. In August 2010, World Health Organization declared the beginning of the postpandemic phase of influenza surveillance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological and virological characteristics of influenza and correlation between the influenza occurrence and weather conditions. Methods. We used surveillance reports of influenza and laboratory data from October 2010 to May 2015. Data for the analysis were collected through sentinel surveillance of influenza-like illness (ILI), severe acute respiratory illness (SARI), acute respiratory distress syndrome, and by virological surveillance. The nasal and throat swabs from all influenza cases were performed by the PCR laboratory method. Results. During the observed period, the highest rates of ILI were registered during the 2010/11 and 2012/13 seasons, with influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 and influenza B being predominant, respectively. The highest weekly age-specific rates of ILI were registered in school-age children (ages 5?14). Out of 1,466 samples collected, 720 (49.1%) were laboratory confirmed as influenza, and influenza A virus was more frequently detected than influenza B. Among confirmed cases of influenza, participation of patients with SARI or ILI was nearly equal (46% vs. 44.1%). There was a weak correlation observed between the decrease in temperature and rainfall and the increase in influenza detection (? = -0.04214 vs. ? = -0.01545, respectively, p > 0.05). Conclusion. There is a need for continuous surveillance in order to predict seasonal trends and prepare for a timely response to influenza outbreak.

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Influenza A/H1N1 2009 Pandemic and Respiratory Virus Infections, Beijing, 2009–2010

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0045807 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 7 (9) ◽

pp. e45807 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Yaowu Yang ◽

Zhong Wang ◽

Lili Ren ◽

Wei Wang ◽

Guy Vernet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza A ◽

Respiratory Virus ◽

Virus Infections ◽

Influenza A H1n1 ◽

Respiratory Virus Infections

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Impact assessment of non-pharmaceutical interventions against COVID-19 and influenza in Hong Kong: an observational study

10.1101/2020.03.12.20034660 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Benjamin J. Cowling ◽

Sheikh Taslim Ali ◽

Tiffany W. Y. Ng ◽

Tim K. Tsang ◽

Julian C. M. Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hong Kong ◽

Influenza A ◽

Adult Population ◽

Substantial Reduction ◽

Influenza Surveillance ◽

Virus Infections ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Influenza A H1n1 ◽

General Adult Population ◽

Influenza Transmission

ABSTRACTBackgroundA range of public health measures have been implemented to delay and reduce local transmission of COVID-19 in Hong Kong, and there have been major changes in behaviours of the general public. We examined the effect of these interventions and behavioral changes on the incidence of COVID-19 as well as on influenza virus infections which may share some aspects of transmission dynamics with COVID-19.MethodsWe reviewed policy interventions and measured changes in population behaviours through two telephone surveys, on January 20-23 and February 11-14. We analysed data on laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases, influenza surveillance data in outpatients of all ages, and influenza hospitalisations in children. We estimated the daily effective reproduction number (Rt), for COVID-19 and influenza A(H1N1).FindingsCOVID-19 transmissibility has remained at or below 1, indicating successful containment to date. Influenza transmission declined substantially after the implementation of social distancing measures and changes in population behaviours in late January, with a 44% (95% confidence interval, CI: 34% to 53%) reduction in transmissibility in the community, and a 33% (95% CI: 24% to 43%) reduction in transmissibility based on paediatric hospitalization rates. In the two surveys we estimated that 74.5% and 97.5% of the general adult population wore masks when going out, and 61.3% and 90.2% avoided going to crowded places, respectively.ImplicationsContainment measures, social distancing measures and changes in population behaviour have successfully prevented spread of COVID-19. The social distancing measures and behavioural changes led to a substantial reduction in influenza transmission in early February 2020. However, it may be challenging to avoid fatigue and sustain these measures and population behaviours as COVID-19 continues to spread globally.FundingHealth and Medical Research Fund, Hong Kong

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Respiratory virus infections among hospitalized patients with suspected influenza A H1N1 2009 virus during the first pandemic wave in Brazil

Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1590/s1413-86702011000300007 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 15 (3) ◽

pp. 220-224 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Aripuanã Sakurada Aranha Watanabe ◽

Emerson Carraro ◽

Luciana Moreira ◽

Clarice Camargo ◽

Juliana Sinohara ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza A ◽

Respiratory Virus ◽

Hospitalized Patients ◽

Virus Infections ◽

Influenza A H1n1 ◽

Respiratory Virus Infections ◽

Pandemic Wave

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Respiratory virus infections among hospitalized patients with suspected influenza A H1N1 2009 virus during the first pandemic wave in Brazil

The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1016/s1413-8670(11)70179-9 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 15 (3) ◽

pp. 220-224 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Aripuanã Sakurada Aranha Watanabe ◽

Emerson Carraro ◽

Luciana Moreira ◽

Clarice Camargo ◽

Juliana Sinohara ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza A ◽

Respiratory Virus ◽

Hospitalized Patients ◽

Virus Infections ◽

Influenza A H1n1 ◽

Respiratory Virus Infections ◽

Pandemic Wave

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Mixed polysaccharides derived from shiitake mushroom, Poriacocos, Ginger and Tangerine peel prevent the H1N1 virus infections in mice

Bioscience Biotechnology and Biochemistry ◽

10.1093/bbb/zbab174 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Diqi Yang ◽

Minghua Hu ◽

Hongmei Zhu ◽

Jianguo Chen ◽

Dehai Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza A ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

H1n1 Virus ◽

Global Public Health ◽

Virus Infections ◽

Shiitake Mushroom ◽

Virus Challenge ◽

Influenza A H1n1 ◽

Public Health Challenges ◽

Cellular Immune

Abstract The pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus spread globally and posed one of the most serious global public health challenges. The traditional Chinese medicine is served as a complementary treatment strategy with vaccine immunization. Here, we demonstrated the mixed polysaccharides (MPs) derived from shiitake mushroom, poriacocos, ginger and tyangerine peel prevent the H1N1 virus infections in mice. MPs pretreatment attenuated H1N1 virus-induced weight loss, clinical symptoms and death. The lymphocytes detection results showed the CD3+, CD19+ and CD25+ cell proportions were up-regulated in thymus under MPs pretreatment. Besides, MPs pretreatment reduced the inflammatory cell infiltration and increased the cell proportions of CD19+, CD25+ and CD278+ in lung. However, MPs treatment have no effective therapeutic effect after H1N1 virus challenge. The current study suggested that pretreatment with MPs could attenuate H1N1 virus-induced lung injury and up-regulate humoral and cellular immune responses in non- immunized mice.

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Effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccine for adults and children in preventing laboratory-confirmed influenza in primary care in the United Kingdom: 2015/16 end-of-season results

Eurosurveillance ◽

10.2807/1560-7917.es.2016.21.38.30348 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 21 (38) ◽

Cited By ~ 56

Author(s):

Richard Pebody ◽

Fiona Warburton ◽

Joanna Ellis ◽

Nick Andrews ◽

Alison Potts ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

United Kingdom ◽

Influenza Vaccine ◽

Influenza A ◽

Immunisation Programme ◽

Influenza B ◽

Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

Influenza A H1n1 ◽

The Uk

The United Kingdom (UK) is in the third season of introducing universal paediatric influenza vaccination with a quadrivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV). The 2015/16 season in the UK was initially dominated by influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and then influenza of B/Victoria lineage, not contained in that season’s adult trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV). Overall adjusted end-of-season vaccine effectiveness (VE) was 52.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 41.0–61.6) against influenza-confirmed primary care consultation, 54.5% (95% CI: 41.6–64.5) against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and 54.2% (95% CI: 33.1–68.6) against influenza B. In 2–17 year-olds, adjusted VE for LAIV was 57.6% (95% CI: 25.1 to 76.0) against any influenza, 81.4% (95% CI: 39.6–94.3) against influenza B and 41.5% (95% CI: −8.5 to 68.5) against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09. These estimates demonstrate moderate to good levels of protection, particularly against influenza B in children, but relatively less against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09. Despite lineage mismatch in the trivalent IIV, adults younger than 65 years were still protected against influenza B. These results provide reassurance for the UK to continue its influenza immunisation programme planned for 2016/17.

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