Influenza Virus Surveillance from the 1918 Influenza Pandemic to the 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic in New York State, USA

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Virology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Influenza surveillance in New York State has evolved over 100 years, integrating advanced technologies like next-generation sequencing.
• Effective surveillance is crucial for pandemic preparedness and response, requiring sufficient specimen testing within confidence limits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate if influenza virologic surveillance at the New York State Public Health Laboratory (NYS PHL) collects adequate specimen numbers for situational awareness and novel pandemic virus detection.
• To assess surveillance data against guidelines from the Association of Public Health Laboratories and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Influenza Virologic Surveillance Right Size Roadmap.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of electronic laboratory test results for influenza seasons from 1997-1998 to 2021-2022.
• Comparison of specimen numbers tested at NYS PHL against recommended sample sizes for effective surveillance.

Main Results:

• Influenza virologic surveillance data solely from NYS PHL specimens were insufficient to meet recommended surveillance goals.
• When supplemented with testing data from participating clinical laboratories, the surveillance program achieved the recommended goals.
• Influenza remains a significant public health threat, as evidenced by case increases surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusions:

• Collaboration between public health and clinical laboratories is essential for robust influenza surveillance.
• Sustained and encouraged sample submissions to public health laboratories are critical for monitoring emerging influenza viruses and ensuring pandemic preparedness.