Impact of COVID-19 control measures on the spread of influenza / 上海预防医学

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo analyze the effects of respiratory control measures before and after COVID-19 epidemic on influenza virus. MethodsThe percentage of influenza-like cases， the positive rate of influenza virus and the change of influenza outbreaks before and after the COVID-19 pandemic were compared and analyzed by selecting the data of influenza surveillance sentinel-points in Shanghai. ResultsThe percentage of influenza-like illness after the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 was significantly higher than that during the same period between 2017 and 2019. The positive rate of influenza virus detection in 2020 was significantly lower than the average rate of influenza virus detection from 2017 to 2019 with significant statistical difference （χ 2=2 359.07， P<0.001）. The number of outbreaks in 2020 was significantly lower than that from 2017 to 2019. ConclusionDuring the respiratory season， personal protection and reduction of human aggregation can effectively reduce the infection of influenza and the incidence of influenza in the population.