Seasonal trends of Influenza in Islamabad, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Viral outbreaks have always been a challenging task for clinicians and Influenza virus has been on top of the list. The history of influenza epidemic reveals its devastating effects in the form of multiple deaths and economic burden. Hence this study was planned to recognize the peak activity time span of Influenza infection and its frequency in our set-up at Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad Pakistan.
 Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was performed in Pathology Laboratory, Shifa international hospital Islamabad from April 2016 to March 2019. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from patients of all age groups, with clinically suspected influenza infection throughout the year, irrespective of gender, according to hospital’s standard policy. Samples were analysed on GeneXpert kit (Xpert Flu Assay). Data collected was entered and then analysed in SPSS version 17.
 Results: Of the total 591 samples included in study, 233 (39.4%) were positive for influenza (Flu A or Flu B), while 358 (60.6%) showed negative results. Total 172 (73.8%) were positive for Flu A while 61 (26.1%) were positive for Flu B. Among Flu A cases, 107 (62.2%) were positive for H1N1. Most of the positive cases (n=206; 88.4%) were reported in the months of January and February during the three-year period (2016-2019) of this study.
 Conclusions: Influenza virus has peak activity in the months of January and February. Both Influenza A and B are circulating in the environment but Flu A is predominant and H1N1 is more prevalent.

Trends Of Respiratory Viral Infections in Punjab Pakistan In The Post COVID-19 Period

“…Another study conducted by Aziz Fat el. has shown a high prevalence of RSV genotype B (20%) in children in Pakistan 21 . Another cross-sectional study conducted by Raza S at el .in Islamabad from April 2016 to March 2019 showed a prevalence of 73.8% for Influenza A virus whereas 26.1% for Influenza B.…”

Consensus statements for influenza awareness, prevention, and vaccination in Pakistan

“…Based on the review of published literature, we summarized the key findings related to influenza epidemiology in Pakistan (Table 2). All the experts agreed that the influenza virus peaks annually in January and February, and that there is a seasonal active window between October and April with sporadic occurrences throughout the summer [19,26,34]. Recently, a cross-sectional study in Islamabad reported that 74% of the patients diagnosed with influenza were type A, among which 62.2% were type A/H1N1.…”

“…Recently, a cross-sectional study in Islamabad reported that 74% of the patients diagnosed with influenza were type A, among which 62.2% were type A/H1N1. Most of these cases were detected during January and February [17,19]. This incidence is alarming, especially in an underprivileged population with a lowvaccination rate and weak immunity.…”

“…The proportion of positive influenza specimens was still lower compared to the pre-coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) period, due to the increased preventive measures [9][10]. However, influenza cases are anticipated to increase again following the lifting of COVID- 19 restrictions. Therefore, influenza vaccination was recommended during the COVID-19 period, especially for high-risk people who may develop severe complications when coinfected by both viruses [11].…”

“…Pakistan is a low-middle-income EMR country and regularly reports influenza activity to the World Health Organization (WHO) FluNet and/or the Eastern Mediterranean Region Flu (EMFLU) platforms. Influenza, mainly of types A and B, circulates throughout the year in Pakistan but peaks during January and February, with subtype A/H1N1 being predominant [4,[17][18][19].…”