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...

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Main Authors: 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
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2021-02-01
Series:International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Subjects:
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.
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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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