Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic: Factors affecting decreased incidence of influenza

Authors

Hamza Mirza, Biology Department, New Jersey City University, Jersey City, New Jersey.
Mansoor Mirza, Advocate Aurora HealthFollow

Recommended Citation

Mirza H, Mirza M. Lessons Learned From the COVID-19 Pandemic: Factors Affecting Decreased Incidence of Influenza. WMJ. 2023;122(1):56-59.

Affiliations

West Allis Memorial Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Our goal was to identify if the cases of influenza declined in the state of Wisconsin during the COVID-19 pandemic and, if so, what factors may have been responsible for this decline.

Methods: Influenza rates during the 2018-2019 and 2020-2021 seasons were compared using data from Respiratory Virus Surveillance Reports from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Results: The number of cases and hospitalizations due to influenza decreased significantly during the 2020-2021 influenza season compared to the 2018-2019 season, although mortality rates increased during 2020-2021.

Discussion: Reducing the burden of illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths due to influenza on the health care system is imperative. Taking the same preventive measures used during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as wearing masks, physical distancing, and frequent handwashing, should be advised, especially for the most vulnerable patient populations.

Document Type

Article

PubMed ID

36940124