Seasonal characteristics of influenza vary regionally across US

James Tamerius; Christopher Uejio; Jeffrey Koss

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0212511

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Seasonal characteristics of influenza vary regionally across US

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Seasonal characteristics of influenza vary regionally across US

James Tamerius, Christopher Uejio and Jeffrey Koss

PloS one, Vol.14(3), pp.e0212511-e0212511

2019

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212511

PMCID: PMC6402651

PMID: 30840644

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Abstract

Given substantial regional differences in absolute humidity across the US and our understanding of the relationship between absolute humidity and influenza, we may expect important differences in regional seasonal influenza activity. Here, we assessed cross-seasonal influenza activity by comparing counts of positive influenza A and B rapid test results during the influenza season versus summer baseline periods for the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 influenza years. Our analysis indicates significant regional patterns in cross-seasonal influenza activity, with relatively fewer influenza cases during the influenza season compared to summertime baseline periods in humid areas of the US, particularly in Florida and Hawaii. The cross-seasonal ratios vary from year-to-year and influenza type, but the geographic patterning of the ratios is relatively consistent. Mixed-effects regression models indicated absolute humidity during the influenza season was the strongest predictor of cross-seasonal influenza activity, suggesting a relationship between absolute humidity and cross-seasonal influenza activity. There was also evidence that absolute humidity during the summer plays a role, as well. This analysis suggests that spatial variation in seasonal absolute humidity levels may generate important regional differences in seasonal influenza activity and dynamics in the US.

Female

Florida - epidemiology

Hawaii - epidemiology

Humans

Humidity

Influenza A virus

Influenza B virus

Influenza, Human - epidemiology

Male

Seasons

Details

Title: Subtitle: Seasonal characteristics of influenza vary regionally across US
Creators: James Tamerius - University of Iowa
Christopher Uejio - Florida State University
Jeffrey Koss - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: PloS one, Vol.14(3), pp.e0212511-e0212511
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212511
PMID: 30840644
PMCID: PMC6402651
NLM abbreviation: PLoS One
ISSN: 1932-6203
eISSN: 1932-6203
Grant note: DOI: 10.13039/100000139, name: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, award: 83574901
Language: English
Date published: 2019
Academic Unit: Geographical and Sustainability Sciences
Record Identifier: 9984230423302771

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