Subject(s)
COVID-19 Vaccines , COVID-19/epidemiology , Disease Transmission, Infectious/prevention & control , Immunization, Secondary , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19/transmission , Disease Eradication , Disease Transmission, Infectious/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Immunogenicity, Vaccine , Patient Acuity , Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/transmission , Respiratory Tract Diseases/epidemiology , SARS-CoV-2 , United States/epidemiology , Vaccination , Vaccine PotencyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza are prevalent seasonal community viruses. Although not completely understood, SARS-CoV-2 may have the same means of transmission. Preventive social measures aimed at preventing SARS-CoV-2 spread could impact transmission of other respiratory viruses as well. The aim of this study is to report the detection of RSV and influenza during the period of social distancing due to COVID-19 pandemic in a heavily affected community. METHODS: Prospective study with pediatric and adult populations seeking care for COVID-19-like symptoms during the fall and winter of 2020 at two hospitals in Southern Brazil. RT-PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2, influenza A (Flu A), influenza B (Flu B) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was performed for all participants. RESULTS: 1435 suspected COVID-19 participants (1137 adults, and 298 children). were included between May and August. Median age was 37.7 years (IQR = 29.6-47.7), and 4.92 years (IQR = 1.96-9.53), for the adult and child cohorts, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 was positive in 469 (32.7%) while influenza and RSV were not detected at all. CONCLUSIONS: Measures to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission likely exerted a huge impact in the spread of alternate respiratory pathogens. These findings contribute to the knowledge about the dynamics of virus spread. Further, it may be considered for guiding therapeutic choices for these other viruses.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/prevention & control , Influenza A virus/isolation & purification , Influenza B virus/isolation & purification , Influenza, Human/diagnosis , Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/diagnosis , Respiratory Syncytial Viruses/isolation & purification , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Brazil/epidemiology , COVID-19/diagnosis , COVID-19/epidemiology , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Hospitals , Humans , Infant , Influenza, Human/transmission , Male , Middle Aged , Physical Distancing , Prospective Studies , Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/transmission , SARS-CoV-2/isolation & purification , Seasons , Young AdultABSTRACT
Universal masking for healthcare workers and patients in hospitals was adopted to combat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with compliance rates of 100% and 75.9%, respectively. Zero rates of nosocomial influenza A, influenza B, and respiratory syncytial virus infection were achieved from February to April 2020, which was significantly lower than the corresponding months in 2017-2019.