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Published on: January 7, 2019

Epidemiological trends and climate-driven dynamics of children respiratory infections in Lanzhou, China: a

Biao Wang1,2, Hui Zhang1, Shu Liang1

  • 1Gansu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Lanzhou, China.

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
|June 4, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Post-pandemic pediatric respiratory infections in Lanzhou show varied pathogen prevalence and age-specific patterns. Low temperatures and high pressure increase risks for influenza virus (IFV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), while wind speed may offer protection.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Epidemiology
  • Environmental health

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global respiratory pathogen transmission patterns.
  • Understanding post-pandemic pediatric respiratory infections is crucial for public health.
  • Meteorological factors significantly influence the spread of respiratory illnesses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the epidemiology of pediatric respiratory infections in Lanzhou, China, post-COVID-19.
  • To investigate the impact of meteorological factors on respiratory pathogen transmission in this region.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of pediatric respiratory pathogen data from Lanzhou.
  • Correlation analysis between pathogen detection and meteorological variables (temperature, humidity, pressure, wind speed).
  • Nonlinear lag modeling to assess immediate and lagged effects of weather on pathogen risk.

Main Results:

  • 42.5% of children had respiratory pathogens; influenza virus (IFV), adenovirus (HAdV), rhinovirus (RV), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were predominant.
  • RSV and IFV peaked in infants <1 year; Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) was highest in school-aged children.
  • Low temperatures and high pressure correlated with increased risk for IFV, RSV, HAdV, and MP; high wind speed showed a protective effect against several pathogens.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric respiratory pathogen prevalence in Lanzhou has distinct age- and season-specific patterns.
  • Meteorological factors, particularly temperature, pressure, and wind speed, significantly influence pathogen transmission.
  • Findings support developing age-stratified prevention strategies and meteorological early warning systems for respiratory infections.
Abstract

Keywords:
childrenclimate sensitivity monitoringdistribution lag nonlinear modelepidemiologymeteorological factorsrespiratory infections

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