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Decline of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus detection in facility-based surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic, South Africa, January to October 2020.
Tempia, Stefano; Walaza, Sibongile; Bhiman, Jinal N; McMorrow, Meredith L; Moyes, Jocelyn; Mkhencele, Thulisa; Meiring, Susan; Quan, Vanessa; Bishop, Kate; McAnerney, Johanna M; von Gottberg, Anne; Wolter, Nicole; Du Plessis, Mignon; Treurnicht, Florette K; Hellferscee, Orienka; Dawood, Halima; Naby, Fathima; Variava, Ebrahim; Siwele, Comfort; Baute, Neydis; Nel, Jeremy; Reubenson, Gary; Zar, Heather J; Cohen, Cheryl.
  • Tempia S; Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States.
  • Walaza S; MassGenics, Duluth, Georgia, United States.
  • Bhiman JN; School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
  • McMorrow ML; Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.
  • Moyes J; School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
  • Mkhencele T; Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.
  • Meiring S; Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.
  • Quan V; Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States.
  • Bishop K; School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
  • McAnerney JM; Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.
  • von Gottberg A; Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.
  • Wolter N; Division of Public Health Surveillance and Response, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.
  • Du Plessis M; Division of Public Health Surveillance and Response, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.
  • Treurnicht FK; Division of Public Health Surveillance and Response, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.
  • Hellferscee O; Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.
  • Dawood H; Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.
  • Naby F; School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
  • Variava E; Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.
  • Siwele C; School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
  • Baute N; Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.
  • Nel J; Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.
  • Reubenson G; Division of Virology, National Health Laboratory Service, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa.
  • Zar HJ; Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.
  • Cohen C; School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Euro Surveill ; 26(29)2021 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1323058
ABSTRACT
BackgroundIn South Africa, COVID-19 control measures to prevent SARS-CoV-2 spread were initiated on 16 March 2020. Such measures may also impact the spread of other pathogens, including influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) with implications for future annual epidemics and expectations for the subsequent northern hemisphere winter.MethodsWe assessed the detection of influenza and RSV through facility-based syndromic surveillance of adults and children with mild or severe respiratory illness in South Africa from January to October 2020, and compared this with surveillance data from 2013 to 2019.ResultsFacility-based surveillance revealed a decline in influenza virus detection during the regular season compared with previous years. This was observed throughout the implementation of COVID-19 control measures. RSV detection decreased soon after the most stringent COVID-19 control measures commenced; however, an increase in RSV detection was observed after the typical season, following the re-opening of schools and the easing of measures.ConclusionCOVID-19 non-pharmaceutical interventions led to reduced circulation of influenza and RSV in South Africa. This has limited the country's ability to provide influenza virus strains for the selection of the annual influenza vaccine. Delayed increases in RSV case numbers may reflect the easing of COVID-19 control measures. An increase in influenza virus detection was not observed, suggesting that the measures may have impacted the two pathogens differently. The impact that lowered and/or delayed influenza and RSV circulation in 2020 will have on the intensity and severity of subsequent annual epidemics is unknown and warrants close monitoring.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Influenza Vaccines / Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Influenza, Human / COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study / Prognostic study Topics: Vaccines Limits: Adult / Child / Humans Country/Region as subject: Africa Language: English Journal subject: Communicable Diseases Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 1560-7917.ES.2021.26.29.2001600

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Influenza Vaccines / Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Influenza, Human / COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study / Prognostic study Topics: Vaccines Limits: Adult / Child / Humans Country/Region as subject: Africa Language: English Journal subject: Communicable Diseases Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 1560-7917.ES.2021.26.29.2001600