Study shows a decline in influenza during pandemic

With the novel Coronavirus raging across the globe, the doctors have noticed a considerable reduction in the influenza cases during the pandemic, reveals a report published by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), United States. Data collected from countries like Australia, Chile and South Africa also indicate lower influenza activity within their population.

Influenza which is commonly called flu is a viral infection that attacks the respiratory system causing the cough, sore throat, fever, chills etc. The virus spreads when people with the flue who are in close proximity with others talk, cough or sneeze causing the transmission of the virus into others through air.

A sharp decline in the influenza virus circulation has been noted after Covid-19 protocols like wearing masks in public, closure of schools and public places, frequent washing of hands and strict maintenance of social distancing has been implemented.

Common illnesses like pneumonia and bronchiolitis in children less than one-year-old are also considerably lower. Children are no longer playing together or being exposed to the public more frequently as they did before. The healthy habits that are being taught to kids to keep them safe from the Coronavirus could be leading them to a more hygienic lifestyle which protects them from contracting common illnesses as well. With the respiratory diseases at bay, doctors advise the parents to focus on children's mental wellbeing.

The data analysed from around 300 clinical laboratories across the United States suggests that community mitigation measures coupled with the widespread vaccination programmes that have started are likely to bring down the cases of influenza in people and sometimes even prevent it in the future seasons.

Some of these mitigation measures can henceforth be applied during the influenza seasons to reduce the transmission of the virus among people who have a higher risk of contracting them. The influenza virus circulation will be constantly monitored to check if the same situation continues even after the community mitigation measures are eased.