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Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancements in Multiplex Detection of Respiratory Viruses
Published on: November 10, 2023
Influenza activity during the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 in Chinese mainland
Mi Liu1, Lizong Deng2, Dayan Wang3
1Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology & Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China.
Insights
The 2019-2020 influenza season in China ended early, potentially due to the emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and control measures. This early cessation offers insights into the co-circulation of these respiratory viruses.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Virology
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may persist seasonally.
- Understanding its impact on other respiratory diseases like influenza is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze influenza activity in mainland China during the 2019-2020 season.
- To investigate potential links between influenza dynamics and the emergence of COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of influenza surveillance data from mid-November 2019 to March 2020.
- Comparison of the 2019-2020 influenza season with previous seasons.
Main Results:
- The 2019-2020 influenza season concluded significantly earlier than in prior years.
- This early end was observed across all influenza subtypes and lineages.
- Potential contributing factors include COVID-19 circulation and implemented public health interventions.
Conclusions:
- The early termination of the influenza season suggests a possible influence of COVID-19.
- Findings provide initial data on the co-circulation patterns of influenza and SARS-CoV-2.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the interactions between these viruses.
Abstract:
Since coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) might circulate in the following seasons, it is essential to understand how COVID-19 influences other respiratory diseases, especially influenza. In this study, we analyzed the influenza activity from mid-November 2019 to March 2020 in Chinese mainland and found that the influenza season ended much earlier than previous seasons for all subtypes and lineages, which may have resulted from the circulation of COVID-19 and measures such as travel control and personal protection. These findings provide rudimentary knowledge of the co-circulation patterns of the two types of viruses.
