Open AccessBurden of influenza‐associated outpatient influenza‐like illness consultations in China, 2006‐2015: A population‐based study
Author(s) -
Feng Luzhao,
Feng Shuo,
Chen Tao,
Yang Juan,
Lau Yiu Chung,
Peng Zhibin,
Li Li,
Wang Xiling,
Wong Jessica Y. T.,
Qin Ying,
Bond Helen S.,
Zhang Juanjuan,
Fang Vicky J.,
Zheng Jiandong,
Yang Jing,
Wu Peng,
Jiang Hui,
He Yangni,
Cowling Benjamin J.,
Yu Hongjie,
Shu Yuelong,
Lau Eric H. Y.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
influenza and other respiratory viruses
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.743
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1750-2659
pISSN - 1750-2640
DOI - 10.1111/irv.12711
Subject(s) - medicine , outpatient visits , influenza like illness , outpatient clinic , population , china , disease burden , human mortality from h5n1 , vaccination , pandemic , environmental health , health care , demography , covid-19 , virus , virology , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , geography , archaeology , sociology , economics , economic growth
Background Human influenza virus infections cause a considerable burden of morbidity and mortality worldwide each year. Understanding regional influenza‐associated outpatient burden is crucial for formulating control strategies against influenza viruses. Methods We extracted the national sentinel surveillance data on outpatient visits due to influenza‐like‐illness (ILI) and virological confirmation of sentinel specimens from 30 provinces of China from 2006 to 2015. Generalized additive regression models were fitted to estimate influenza‐associated excess ILI outpatient burden for each individual province, accounting for seasonal baselines and meteorological factors. Results Influenza was associated with an average of 2.5 excess ILI consultations per 1000 person‐years (py) in 30 provinces of China each year from 2006 to 2015. Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 led to a higher number of influenza‐associated ILI consultations in 2009 across all provinces compared with other years. The excess ILI burden was 4.5 per 1000 py among children aged below 15 years old, substantially higher than that in adults. Conclusions Human influenza viruses caused considerable impact on population morbidity, with a consequent healthcare and economic burden. This study provided the evidence for planning of vaccination programs in China and a framework to estimate burden of influenza‐associated outpatient consultations.