Influenza’s Plummeting During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Roles of Mask-Wearing, Mobility Change, and SARS-CoV-2 Interference

Han, Shasha; Zhang, Ting; Lyu, Y.; Lai, Shengjie; Dai, Peixi; Zheng, Jiandong; Yang, Weizhong; Zhou, Xiao‐Hua; Feng, Luzhao

doi:10.1016/j.eng.2021.12.011

Cited by 11 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…We previously showed that enterovirus/rhinovirus circulation was not affected by SARS-COV-2 [5] which might indicate that the reduction associated with the Omicron surge was likely related to the seasonality of enterovirus/rhinoviruses, which are known to circulate more in the summer months [9] . We though speculate that the reduction in influenza circulation was secondary to the marked circulation of SARS-CoV-2, and viral interference could be hypothesized as a possible contributor [ 10 , 11 ]. Interestingly, we show 30 coinfections of SARS-CoV-2 with influenza A in a time frame of extensive SARS-CoV-2 circulation (November 2021 – January 2022, 1.82% of SARS-CoV-2 positive tests (1648) diagnosed by the Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-COV-2/Flu/RSV), in the same time frame.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The circulation of Non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viruses and coinfections with SARS-CoV-2 during the surge of the Omicron variant

Eldesouki

Uhteg²,

Mostafa³

2022

Journal of Clinical Virology

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The circulation of Non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viruses and coinfections with SARS-CoV-2 during the surge of the Omicron variant

Eldesouki

Uhteg²,

Mostafa³

2022

Journal of Clinical Virology

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“…The secondary outcomes were the association between influenza vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 infection severity. The extracted data included: [ 1 ] (1) published information (first author, year of publication, and study design); [ 2 ] (2) the characteristics of the study (study settings, geographic origin, and sample size); [ 3 ] (3) exposure information (the time of influenza vaccination, influenza vaccination coverage, and ascertainment of influenza vaccination); [ 4 ] (4) SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 outcomes (identification of COVID-19, time period of COVID-19 outcomes, and crude or adjusted estimates with 95% CIs of COVID-19 outcomes and its adjusted variables). If a study reported both crude and adjusted estimates for a same variable, adjusted ones were adopted in the pooled analysis.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since the outbreak, both NPIs and SARS-CoV-2 have disrupted influenza circulation individually and in combination. [ 4 , 5 ] Some anti-influenza drugs are used clinically to treat COVID-19 patients. [ 6 , 7 ] These findings suggest a common intervention may work.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association between influenza vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 infection and its outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis

Jiang

Huang

Jia

et al. 2022

Chinese Medical Journal

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Background: World Health Organization recommends that influenza vaccines should benefit as much of the population as possible, especially where resources are limited. Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become one of the greatest threats to health systems worldwide. The present study aimed to extend the evidence of the association between influenza vaccination and COVID-19 to promote the former. Methods: In this systematic review, four electronic databases, including the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, were searched for related studies published up to May 2022. All odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled by meta-analysis. Results: A total of 36 studies, encompassing 55,996,841 subjects, were included in this study. The meta-analysis for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection provided an OR of 0.80 (95% CI: 0.73-0.87). The statistically significant estimates for clinical outcomes were 0.83 (95% CI: 0.72-0.96) for intensive care unit admission, 0.69 (95% CI: 0.57-0.84) for ventilator support, and 0.69 (95% CI: 0.52-0.93) for fatal infection, while no effect seen in hospitalization with an OR of 0.87 (95% CI: 0.68-1.10). Conclusion: Influenza vaccination helps limit SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe outcomes, but further studies are needed. Registration: PROSPERO, CRD42022333747.

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“…In addition, face masks have been shown to alter emotional inferences and social judgments [ 32 ]. As a result, an extra caution should be taken when wearing masks in order to avoid the associated negative effects, while boosting the positive effects such as the associated reduction in influenza activity [ 33 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Future Acceptability of Respiratory Virus Infection Control Interventions in General Population to Prevent Respiratory Infections

et al. 2022

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Background and Objectives: In both pandemic and non-pandemic situations, nonpharmaceutical public health measures may offer easy, low-cost, and effective means of reducing the spread and impact of acute respiratory infections. It is unknown whether such measures would be acceptable to the Saudi community beyond the current pandemic. Materials and Methods: A validated survey was used to test community acceptance of the measures. Respondents were asked which infection control practices they planned to maintain and which they believed should be policies for the community as a whole after the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided. Results: The survey was completed by 2057 people (95% completion rate), 1486 (72%) of whom were female, 259 (12.5%) of whom were current smokers, and 72 (3.5%) of whom had chronic lung disease. The most prevalent age groups were 18–30 years (933; 45.4%) and 31–40 years (483; 23.5%), with 641 individuals over 40 years old. Of the responses, 93% indicated that they would continue washing their hands more often; 92% wanted both clinicians and patients to wear masks in hospitals; 86% would continue avoiding smoking in indoor and outdoor areas; 73% would continue wearing a face covering on public transportation; 70% indicated that they would continue wearing a face covering in indoor public places. Regarding the respiratory virus infection control measures, 85% (11/13) received significant support (≥70% acceptability level) for continuation as policies in the future. Wearing face coverings outdoors and social distancing outdoors received little support (45% and 66%, respectively). Of the respiratory virus infection control measures, 54% received less support from current smokers than non-smokers (acceptability level < 70%). People with chronic respiratory disease supported 77% of the measures being regarded as policies in the future. Conclusion: The Saudi community supports nonpharmacological respiratory infection control measures that reduce the likelihood of infection. Public health campaigns should target smokers to increase awareness of the importance of these measures in lowering infections. Based on the findings of this study, nonpharmacological treatments should be presented and included in future recommendations for both the public and patients diagnosed with chronic respiratory diseases.

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Influenza’s Plummeting During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Roles of Mask-Wearing, Mobility Change, and SARS-CoV-2 Interference

Cited by 11 publications

References 38 publications

The circulation of Non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viruses and coinfections with SARS-CoV-2 during the surge of the Omicron variant

The circulation of Non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viruses and coinfections with SARS-CoV-2 during the surge of the Omicron variant

Association between influenza vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 infection and its outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis

Future Acceptability of Respiratory Virus Infection Control Interventions in General Population to Prevent Respiratory Infections

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