Decline of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus detection in facility-based surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic, South Africa, January to October 2020

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.PMID:34296675 | DOI:10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2021.26.29.2001600

Source: Euro Surveill - July 23, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Stefano Tempia Sibongile Walaza Jinal N Bhiman Meredith L McMorrow Jocelyn Moyes Thulisa Mkhencele Susan Meiring Vanessa Quan Kate Bishop Johanna M McAnerney Anne von Gottberg Nicole Wolter Mignon Du Plessis Florette K Treurnicht Orienka Hellferscee Halim Source Type: research