Days of Flooding Associated with Increased Risk of Influenza

Eric Kontowicz; Grant Brown; James Torner; Margaret Carrel; Kelly K. Baker; Christine A. Petersen

doi:10.1155/2022/8777594

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Days of Flooding Associated with Increased Risk of Influenza

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Days of Flooding Associated with Increased Risk of Influenza

Eric Kontowicz, Grant Brown, James Torner, Margaret Carrel, Kelly K. Baker and Christine A. Petersen

Journal of environmental and public health, Vol.2022, 8777594

06/03/2022

DOI: 10.1155/2022/8777594

PMCID: PMC9187473

PMID: 35692665

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/8777594View

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Abstract

Influenza typically causes mild infection but can lead to severe outcomes for those with compromised lung health. Flooding, a seasonal problem in Iowa, can expose many Iowans to molds and allergens shown to alter lung inflammation, leading to asthma attacks and decreased viral clearance. Based on this, the hypothesis for this research was that there would be geographically specific positive associations in locations with flooding with influenza diagnosis. An ecological study was performed using influenza diagnoses and positive influenza polymerase chain reaction tests from a de-identified large private insurance database and Iowa State Hygienic Lab. After adjustment for multiple confounding factors, Poisson regression analysis resulted in a consistent 1% associated increase in influenza diagnoses per day above flood stage (95% confidence interval: 1.00–1.04). This relationship remained after removal of the 2009–2010 influenza pandemic year. There was no associated risk between flooding and influenza-like illness as a nonspecific diagnosis. Associated risks between flooding and increased influenza diagnoses were geographically specific, with the greatest risk in the most densely populated areas. This study indicates that populations who live, work, or volunteer in flooded environments should consider preventative measures to avoid environmental exposures to mitigate illness from influenza in the following year.

Details

Title: Subtitle: Days of Flooding Associated with Increased Risk of Influenza
Creators: Eric Kontowicz - Department of EpidemiologyCollege of Public HealthUniversity of IowaIowa City 52242IAUSAuiowa.edu
Grant Brown - Department of BiostatisticsCollege of Public HealthUniversity of IowaIowa City 52242IAUSAuiowa.edu
James Torner - Department of EpidemiologyCollege of Public HealthUniversity of IowaIowa City 52242IAUSAuiowa.edu
Margaret Carrel - Department of Geographical and Sustainability SciencesCollege of Liberal Arts and SciencesUniversity of IowaIowa City 52242IAUSAuiowa.edu
Kelly K. Baker - Department of Occupational and Environmental HealthCollege of Public HealthUniversity of IowaIowa City 52242IAUSAuiowa.edu
Christine A. Petersen - Department of EpidemiologyCollege of Public HealthUniversity of IowaIowa City 52242IAUSAuiowa.edu
Contributors: Giovanna Deiana (Editor)
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of environmental and public health, Vol.2022, 8777594
DOI: 10.1155/2022/8777594
PMID: 35692665
PMCID: PMC9187473
NLM abbreviation: J Environ Public Health
ISSN: 1687-9805
eISSN: 1687-9813
Publisher: Hindawi
Language: English
Date published: 06/03/2022
Academic Unit: Neurology; Occupational and Environmental Health; Epidemiology; Biostatistics; Injury Prevention Research Center; Interdisciplinary Programs; Neurosurgery; Geographical and Sustainability Sciences; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984264524402771

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