Abstract
BackgroundSeveral local studies showed that the 2009 influenza pandemic delayed the RSV season. However, no global‐level analyses are available on the possible impact of the 2009 influenza pandemic on the RSV season.ObjectivesWe aim to understand the impact of the 2009 influenza pandemic on the RSV season.MethodsWe compiled data from published literature (through a systematic review), online reports/datasets and previously published data on global RSV seasonality and conducted a global‐level systematic analysis on the impact of the 2009 influenza pandemic on RSV seasonality.ResultsWe included 354 seasons of 45 unique sites, from 26 countries. Globally, the influenza pandemic delayed the onset of the first RSV season by 0.58 months on average (95% CI: 0.42, 0.73; maximum delay: 2.5 months) and the onset of the second RSV season by a lesser extent (0.25 months; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.39; maximum delay: 3.4 months); no delayed onset was observed for the third RSV season. The delayed onset was most pronounced in the northern temperate, followed by the southern temperate, and was least pronounced in the tropics.ConclusionsThe 2009 influenza pandemic delayed the RSV onset on average by 0.58 months and up to 2.5 months. This suggests evidence of viral interference as well as the impact of public health measures and has important implications for preparedness for RSV season during the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic and future pandemics.
Highlights
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common pathogen identified in young children with acute lower respiratory infections[1,2] and poses a major burden on hospital beds during the peak of RSV transmission
We found that the influenza pandemic delayed the onset of the first RSV season by 0.58 months on average, with a maximum delay of 2.5 months
The influenza pandemic delayed the onset of the second RSV season by a lesser extent, which was 0.25 months, with a maximum delay of 3.4 months
Summary
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common pathogen identified in young children with acute lower respiratory infections[1,2] and poses a major burden on hospital beds during the peak of RSV transmission. The pandemic influenza H1N1 2009 virus was first detected in the United States in April 2009 It quickly spread globally since and the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a pandemic in June 2009.4 In August 2010, WHO declared the end of the influenza pandemic.[5]. No global-level analyses are available on the possible impact of the 2009 influenza pandemic on the RSV season. Conclusions: The 2009 influenza pandemic delayed the RSV onset on average by 0.58 months and up to 2.5 months. This suggests evidence of viral interference as well as the impact of public health measures and has important implications for preparedness for RSV season during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and future pandemics
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