Different Spatiotemporal Features of the Seasonal Influenza A and B in Six Different Climatic zones, Australia

Abstract

Background/Aim: Few studies investigate the different spatiotemporal characteristics of seasonal influenza A and B in different climatic zone. This study aims to assess the spatiotemporal patterns of seasonal influenza A and B based on postal area (PA) level in different climatic zones in Australia. Methods: Geographic Information System and spatiotemporal analyses were used to explore the differences of the seasonal influenza A and B under six climatic zones (i.e., tropical, subtropical, hot dry summer and mild winter zone (HDSMW), hot dry summer and cold winter zone (HDSCW), temperature with mild/warm summer and cold winter zone (TMSCW) and temperature with warm summer and cool winter zone (TWSCW) across Australia. Results: The highest annual incidences were observed in HDSMW, with 166.1 and 82.9 per 100,000 population between 1st January 2011 and 31st December 2013, for influenza A and B, respectively. The smallest annual incidences occurred in TMSCW, with 84.4 and 24.6 per 100,000 population for both influenza A and B, respectively. The highest monthly incidences for both influenza A and B occurred in August in tropical, subtropical, HDSMW and HDSCW, excepted for TMSCW and TWSCW for influenza A (in July). The smallest average monthly incidences of influenza B presented in February, except for TWSCW (in March). The smallest average monthly incidences of influenza A occurred in February for HDSCW and TWSCW and in April for HDSMW and in November for tropical and subtropical. Overall, 76.6% of PA had greater averages of annual incidences for influenza A than those for influenza B, in which 60.8% of PA were observed in TMSCW and TWSCW. Conclusions: There were great differences in the epidemics of influenza A and B under the six climatic zones in Australia. This study could be useful to develop an influenza early warning system based on weather factors in Australia.