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Published on: November 10, 2023
Influence of COVID-19 over seasonal influenza activity in southern India
Ferdinamarie Sharmila1, S Muthamizhkumaran1, Vimal Raj Ratchagadasse1
1Regional Influenza Lab, Department of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, 605006, India.
Abstract:
Basic epidemiological data is urgently needed in order to ascertain the changes brought about by COVID-19 pandemic, and help researchers, clinicians, and policy makers in addressing these issues. Data on influenza positivity from 2009 to 2019 was collected from Regional Influenza laboratory, JIPMER. Being COVID testing centre we tested samples (2020-2023) from Tamilnadu and Pondicherry. All SARI samples which were negative for COVID-19 were subjected to Influenza testing as regular surveillance activity was suspended. On comparison we found significant reduction in detection rates of influenza A H1N1, H3N2 and influenza B (p value = <0.01).
