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Abrupt Subsidence of Seasonal Influenza after COVID-19 Outbreak, Hong Kong, China

Ngai-Sze Wong, Chi-Chiu Leung, Shui-Shan Lee

    Emerging Infectious Diseases
    |August 28, 2020
    PubMed

    Insights

    Large-scale social distancing interventions implemented during the 2019-2020 Hong Kong influenza season coincided with the emergence of coronavirus disease. These public health measures led to an abrupt end of the influenza season, with activity dropping to a low level.

    Area of Science:

    • Public Health
    • Epidemiology
    • Infectious Disease Dynamics

    Background:

    • The 2019-2020 winter influenza season in Hong Kong overlapped with the emergence of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic.
    • The proximity of Hong Kong to mainland China necessitated rapid public health responses.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To analyze the impact of social distancing interventions on the influenza season in Hong Kong.
    • To understand the epidemiological transition during the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak.

    Main Methods:

    • Observational study analyzing influenza surveillance data.
    • Correlation analysis of intervention timelines and influenza activity.
    • Retrospective epidemiological assessment.

    Main Results:

    • Influenza season onset occurred as scheduled but was followed by an abrupt decline.
    • Widespread social distancing measures were implemented in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
    • A significant decrease in influenza activity was observed, reaching a low trough.

    Conclusions:

    • Social distancing interventions, implemented for COVID-19 control, had a substantial impact on interrupting local influenza transmission.
    • The findings highlight the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions in mitigating respiratory virus spread.
    • Further research is needed to quantify the specific impact of different interventions on influenza dynamics.

    Keywords:
    ChinaHong KongSARS-CoV-2coronaviruscoronavirus diseaseinfluenzainfluenza virusrespiratory infectionsseasonal influenzasevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2subsistenceviruseszoonoses

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