Where has all the influenza gone? The impact of COVID-19 on the circulation of influenza and other respiratory viruses, Australia, March to September 2020

Sheena G. Sullivan, Sandra Carlson, Allen C. Cheng, Monique B.N. Chilver, Dominic E. Dwyer, Melissa Irwin, Jen Kok, Kristine Macartney, Jennifer MacLachlan, Cara Minney-Smith, David Smith, Nigel Stocks, Janette Taylor, Ian G. Barr

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

194 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The coronavirus disease pandemic was declared in March 2020, as the southern hemisphere’s winter approached. Australia expected co-circulation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, influenza and other seasonal respiratory viruses. However, influenza notifications were 7,029 (March–September) compared with an average 149,832 for the same period in 2015–2109, despite substantial testing. Restrictions on movement within and into Australia may have temporarily eliminated influenza. Other respiratory pathogens also showed remarkably changed activity in 2020.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2001847
Number of pages6
JournalEurosurveillance
Volume25
Issue number47
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2020

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