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Impact of the COVID‐19 related border restrictions on influenza and other common respiratory viral infections in New Zealand.

Authors :
Huang, Q. Sue
Turner, Nikki
Wood, Tim
Anglemyer, Andrew
McIntyre, Peter
Aminisani, Nayyereh
Dowell, Tony
Trenholme, Adrian
Byrnes, Cass
Balm, Michelle
McIntosh, Christine
Jefferies, Sarah
Grant, Cameron C.
Nesdale, Annette
Dobinson, Hazel C.
Campbell‐Stokes, Priscilla
Daniells, Karen
Geoghegan, Jemma
de Ligt, Joep
Jelley, Lauren
Source :
Influenza & Other Respiratory Viruses. Feb2024, Vol. 18 Issue 2, p1-14. 14p.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Background: New Zealand's (NZ) complete absence of community transmission of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) after May 2020, likely due to COVID‐19 elimination measures, provided a rare opportunity to assess the impact of border restrictions on common respiratory viral infections over the ensuing 2 years. Methods: We collected the data from multiple surveillance systems, including hospital‐based severe acute respiratory infection surveillance, SHIVERS‐II, ‐III and ‐IV community cohorts for acute respiratory infection (ARI) surveillance, HealthStat sentinel general practice (GP) based influenza‐like illness surveillance and SHIVERS‐V sentinel GP‐based ARI surveillance, SHIVERS‐V traveller ARI surveillance and laboratory‐based surveillance. We described the data on influenza, RSV and other respiratory viral infections in NZ before, during and after various stages of the COVID related border restrictions. Results: We observed that border closure to most people, and mandatory government‐managed isolation and quarantine on arrival for those allowed to enter, appeared to be effective in keeping influenza and RSV infections out of the NZ community. Border restrictions did not affect community transmission of other respiratory viruses such as rhinovirus and parainfluenza virus type‐1. Partial border relaxations through quarantine‐free travel with Australia and other countries were quickly followed by importation of RSV in 2021 and influenza in 2022. Conclusion: Our findings inform future pandemic preparedness and strategies to model and manage the impact of influenza and other respiratory viral threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
17502640
Volume :
18
Issue :
2
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Influenza & Other Respiratory Viruses
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
175671702
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1111/irv.13247