Physical distancing reduced the incidence of influenza and supports a favorable impact on SARS-CoV-2 spread in Mexico

Abstract

Introduction: Physical distancing preventive measures were implemented in Mexico as a response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (CoViD-19) pandemic. School closures occurred on March 16, 2020, in 10 out of 32 Mexican states, and one week later in the remaining states. Because the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the influenza virus have similar transmission mechanisms, we aimed to evaluate the impact of physical distancing on the incidence of influenza as a proxy of the impact on SARS-CoV-2 contagion.
 Methodology: A national flu surveillance system was cross-sectionally analyzed and daily average percent changes (APCs) of incidence rates were calculated throught Poisson regression models.
 Results: Greater decreasing trends (APCs -8.8, 95% CI: -12.5, -4.5; vs. -6.0, 95% CI: -9.9, -2.0; p = 0.026) were documented in the states with earlier school closures and across age groups, suggesting that earlier implementation of physical distance results in reduced SARS-CoV-2 spread.
 Conclusions: Physical distancing policies decrease the incidence of influenza infections in Mexico; its favorable impact on the spread of SARS-CoV-2 is commendable.

Survival in influenza virus-related pneumonia by viral subtype: 2016-2020

“…In Mexico, the recent seasonal viral profiles have been dominated by the AH1N1 and B lineages (mainly Yamagata) and high mortality in older adults (aged 60 years or above (Guzman-Holst et al 2019;Salto-Quintana et al 2019). In 2020 and after the implementation of physical distancing measures for preventing the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2), a decline in influenza cases was observed in our territory (Arellanos-Soto et al 2021;Murillo-Zamora et al 2020).…”

SARS-CoV-2 Acquisition and Immune Pathogenesis Among School-Aged Learners in Four Diverse Schools

“…The in-classroom SOCOM data that we collected also revealed high fidelity at all four schools, including school C, which served many children with special needs, presenting additional challenges to COVID-19 mitigation. The successful implementation of mitigation procedures both in on-site settings and in the instruction to remote learners might have played a role in the complete absence of influenza virus that we observed 28,29 . In contrast, rhinovirus (which has the highest detection rate on school room desks among any respiratory viruses 30 ) was observed in all schools.…”

“…The successful implementation of mitigation procedures both in onsite settings and in the instruction to remote learners might have played a role in the complete absence of influenza virus that we observed. 28,29 In contrast, rhinovirus (which has the highest detection rate on school room desks among any respiratory viruses 30 ) was observed in all schools. Implementation of quantifiable non-intrusive instruments like SOCOM along with testing of several respiratory viruses could help schools implement actionable strategies to limit SARS-CoV-2 transmission.…”

SARS-CoV-2 acquisition and immune pathogenesis among school-aged learners in four diverse schools

“…The in-classroom SOCOM data that we collected also revealed high fidelity at all four schools, including school C, which served many children with special needs, presenting additional challenges to COVID-19 mitigation. The successful implementation of mitigation procedures both in on-site settings and in the instruction to remote learners might have played a role in the complete absence of the influenza virus that we observed 28 , 29 . In contrast, rhinovirus (which has the highest detection rate on schoolroom desks among any respiratory viruses 30 ) was observed in all schools.…”