Epidemic situation, prevention, control of influenza A and its enlightenment for COVID-19

ABSTRACT

COVID-19 has become a global epidemic, posing an unpredictable threat to human health. In this study, we addressed the epidemic characteristics, driving factors, prevention and control measures of influenza A, a more common epidemic. In addition, we reviewed the global efforts on how to prevent and control influenza effectively and related scientific research achievements, which aims to provide experience and suggestions for the prevention and control of COVID-19. The results show that (1) Influenza A is a seasonal epidemic, affected by climatic, social political, cultural factors and others. It is more contagious in low-temperature, low-humidity, densely populated environment. (2) The prevention and control of influenza A mainly includes seasonal influenza virus surveillance, influenza virus ecological studies, broad-spectrum neutralizing antibodies and universal vaccines, as well as the etiological assessment of influenza pandemic risk. Seasonal influenza virus surveillance is the core of public health policy formulation and follow-up scientific research. (3) Similar to influenza A, the prevalence of COVID-19 is affected by climate factors such as temperature, as well as social, political, cultural and other factors, which needs to draw the lessons from the mature experience, technologies and platforms of influenza. The combination of multiple actions, such as strengthening virus surveillance, conducting further research on virus ecology and etiological risk assessment and drug discovery is essential for early warning and prediction of the possible secondary wave of epidemics in the future. Our study will provide direct inspiration for the prevention, control, prediction and early warning of COVID-19 and other epidemics in the future.