Abrupt Subsidence of Seasonal Influenza after COVID-19 Outbreak, Hong Kong, China

Emerg Infect Dis. 2020 Nov;26(11):2753-2755. doi: 10.3201/eid2611.200861. Epub 2020 Aug 27.

Abstract

The onset of the 2019-20 winter influenza season in Hong Kong coincided with the emergence of the coronavirus disease epidemic in neighboring mainland China. After widespread adoption of large-scale social distancing interventions in response to the impending coronavirus disease outbreak, the influenza season ended abruptly with a decrease to a low trough.

Keywords: China; Hong Kong; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus; coronavirus disease; influenza; influenza virus; respiratory infections; seasonal influenza; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; subsistence; viruses; zoonoses.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Betacoronavirus*
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / virology
  • Disease Outbreaks / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Hong Kong / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology*
  • Influenza, Human / virology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Orthomyxoviridae*
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / virology
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Seasons