RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The Collateral Benefit of COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies on Influenza
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Medicine
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 680
OP 685
DO 10.3122/jabfm.2022.04.210437
VO 35
IS 4
A1 Elizabeth-Marie Go
A1 Sambandam Elango
YR 2022
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/35/4/680.abstract
AB Introduction: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic initiated the implementation of numerous disease mitigation strategies aimed to prevent transmission of the SARS-CoV-2. Given the similarity in mode of transmission, we posit that these strategies have also had a collateral benefit in minimizing the transmission of influenza during the 2020 to 2021 season in California.Methods: Five years of data including incidence of influenza-like illness (ILI), influenza hospitalization, and mortality related to influenza in California were analyzed.Results: In each of these parameters, there was a marked decrease in influenza activity, suggesting the additional benefit of COVID-19 mitigation strategies on influenza prevention.Discussion: Further study is recommended to determine which specific variables had greater impact on transmission of respiratory viruses, and therefore can be utilized to prevent future outbreaks of respiratory illness.