An influenza A (H3N2) virus outbreak in the Kingdom of Cambodia during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020
Background: Global influenza virus circulation decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, possibly due to widespread community mitigation measures. Cambodia eased some COVID-19 mitigation measures in June and July 2020. On 20 August a cluster of respiratory illnesses occurred among residents of a pagod...
Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2021-02-01
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Series: | International Journal of Infectious Diseases |
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Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1201971220324917 |
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author | L.Y. Sovann B. Sar V. Kab S. Yann M. Kinzer P. Raftery R. Albalak S. Patel P. Long Hay H. Seng S. Um S. Chin D. Chau A. Khalakdina E. Karlsson S.J. Olsen J.A. Mott |
author_facet | L.Y. Sovann B. Sar V. Kab S. Yann M. Kinzer P. Raftery R. Albalak S. Patel P. Long Hay H. Seng S. Um S. Chin D. Chau A. Khalakdina E. Karlsson S.J. Olsen J.A. Mott |
author_sort | L.Y. Sovann |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Background: Global influenza virus circulation decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, possibly due to widespread community mitigation measures. Cambodia eased some COVID-19 mitigation measures in June and July 2020. On 20 August a cluster of respiratory illnesses occurred among residents of a pagoda, including people who tested positive for influenza A but none who were positive for SARS-CoV-2. Methods: A response team was deployed on 25 August 2020. People with influenza-like illness (ILI) were asked questions regarding demographics, illness, personal prevention measures, and residential arrangements. Respiratory swabs were tested for influenza and SARS-Cov-2 by real-time reverse transcription PCR, and viruses were sequenced. Sentinel surveillance data were analyzed to assess recent trends in influenza circulation in the community. Results: Influenza A (H3N2) viruses were identified during sentinel surveillance in Cambodia in July 2020 prior to the reported pagoda outbreak. Among the 362 pagoda residents, 73 (20.2%) ILI cases were identified and 40 were tested, where 33/40 (82.5%) confirmed positive for influenza A (H3N2). All 40 were negative for SARS-CoV-2. Among the 73 residents with ILI, none were vaccinated against influenza, 47 (64%) clustered in 3/8 sleeping quarters, 20 (27%) reported often wearing a mask, 27 (36%) reported often washing hands, and 11 (15%) reported practicing social distancing. All viruses clustered within clade 3c2.A1 close to strains circulating in Australia in 2020. Conclusions: Circulation of influenza viruses began in the community following the relaxation of national COVID-19 mitigation measures, and prior to the outbreak in a pagoda with limited social distancing. Continued surveillance and influenza vaccination are required to limit the impact of influenza globally. |
first_indexed | 2024-12-13T11:32:17Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-26c6eb9a129d43ffa0b1cf100df3ff63 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 1201-9712 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-12-13T11:32:17Z |
publishDate | 2021-02-01 |
publisher | Elsevier |
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series | International Journal of Infectious Diseases |
spelling | doaj.art-26c6eb9a129d43ffa0b1cf100df3ff632022-12-21T23:47:54ZengElsevierInternational Journal of Infectious Diseases1201-97122021-02-01103352357An influenza A (H3N2) virus outbreak in the Kingdom of Cambodia during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020L.Y. Sovann0B. Sar1V. Kab2S. Yann3M. Kinzer4P. Raftery5R. Albalak6S. Patel7P. Long Hay8H. Seng9S. Um10S. Chin11D. Chau12A. Khalakdina13E. Karlsson14S.J. Olsen15J.A. Mott16Ministry of Health, CambodiaUnited States Centers for Disease Control and PreventionWorld Health Organization, CambodiaVirology Unit, Institute Pasteur of Cambodia, CambodiaUnited States Centers for Disease Control and PreventionWorld Health Organization, CambodiaUnited States Centers for Disease Control and PreventionWorld Health Organization, CambodiaWorld Health Organization, CambodiaMinistry of Health, CambodiaMinistry of Health, CambodiaMinistry of Health, CambodiaMinistry of Health, CambodiaWorld Health Organization, CambodiaVirology Unit, Institute Pasteur of Cambodia, CambodiaUnited States Centers for Disease Control and PreventionUnited States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Corresponding author at: DDC 7 Building, 4th Floor, Ministry of Public Health, Soi 4, Tiwanon Rd, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand.Background: Global influenza virus circulation decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, possibly due to widespread community mitigation measures. Cambodia eased some COVID-19 mitigation measures in June and July 2020. On 20 August a cluster of respiratory illnesses occurred among residents of a pagoda, including people who tested positive for influenza A but none who were positive for SARS-CoV-2. Methods: A response team was deployed on 25 August 2020. People with influenza-like illness (ILI) were asked questions regarding demographics, illness, personal prevention measures, and residential arrangements. Respiratory swabs were tested for influenza and SARS-Cov-2 by real-time reverse transcription PCR, and viruses were sequenced. Sentinel surveillance data were analyzed to assess recent trends in influenza circulation in the community. Results: Influenza A (H3N2) viruses were identified during sentinel surveillance in Cambodia in July 2020 prior to the reported pagoda outbreak. Among the 362 pagoda residents, 73 (20.2%) ILI cases were identified and 40 were tested, where 33/40 (82.5%) confirmed positive for influenza A (H3N2). All 40 were negative for SARS-CoV-2. Among the 73 residents with ILI, none were vaccinated against influenza, 47 (64%) clustered in 3/8 sleeping quarters, 20 (27%) reported often wearing a mask, 27 (36%) reported often washing hands, and 11 (15%) reported practicing social distancing. All viruses clustered within clade 3c2.A1 close to strains circulating in Australia in 2020. Conclusions: Circulation of influenza viruses began in the community following the relaxation of national COVID-19 mitigation measures, and prior to the outbreak in a pagoda with limited social distancing. Continued surveillance and influenza vaccination are required to limit the impact of influenza globally.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1201971220324917CambodiaInfluenza A virusH3N2 subtypeDisease outbreakCOVID-19 |
spellingShingle | L.Y. Sovann B. Sar V. Kab S. Yann M. Kinzer P. Raftery R. Albalak S. Patel P. Long Hay H. Seng S. Um S. Chin D. Chau A. Khalakdina E. Karlsson S.J. Olsen J.A. Mott An influenza A (H3N2) virus outbreak in the Kingdom of Cambodia during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 International Journal of Infectious Diseases Cambodia Influenza A virus H3N2 subtype Disease outbreak COVID-19 |
title | An influenza A (H3N2) virus outbreak in the Kingdom of Cambodia during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 |
title_full | An influenza A (H3N2) virus outbreak in the Kingdom of Cambodia during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 |
title_fullStr | An influenza A (H3N2) virus outbreak in the Kingdom of Cambodia during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 |
title_full_unstemmed | An influenza A (H3N2) virus outbreak in the Kingdom of Cambodia during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 |
title_short | An influenza A (H3N2) virus outbreak in the Kingdom of Cambodia during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 |
title_sort | influenza a h3n2 virus outbreak in the kingdom of cambodia during the covid 19 pandemic of 2020 |
topic | Cambodia Influenza A virus H3N2 subtype Disease outbreak COVID-19 |
url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1201971220324917 |
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