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Respiratory viruses in rural Zambia before and during the COVID ‐19 pandemic
Author(s) -
Loevinsohn Gideon,
Hamahuwa Mutinta,
Hardick Justin,
Sinywimaanzi Pamela,
Fenstermacher Katherine Z. J.,
Munachoonga Passwell,
Weynand Austin,
Monze Mwaka,
Manabe Yukari C.,
Gaydos Charlotte A.,
Rothman Richard E.,
Pekosz Andrew,
Thuma Philip E.,
Simulundu Edgar,
Sutcliffe Catherine G.
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
tropical medicine and international health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1365-3156
pISSN - 1360-2276
DOI - 10.1111/tmi.13781
Subject(s) - rhinovirus , human metapneumovirus , medicine , respiratory system , pandemic , epidemiology , virology , respiratory tract infections , pediatrics , covid-19 , infectious disease (medical specialty) , disease
Objectives With the emergence of the COVID‐19 pandemic, restrictions were implemented globally to control the virus. Data on respiratory pathogens in sub‐Saharan Africa during the COVID‐19 pandemic are scarce. This analysis was conducted to evaluate patterns of respiratory pathogens in rural Zambia before and during the first year of the pandemic. Methods Surveillance was established in December 2018 at Macha Hospital in southern Zambia. Patients with respiratory symptoms in the outpatient and inpatient clinics were recruited. Nasopharyngeal samples were collected and tested for respiratory pathogens. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms and pathogens was evaluated and compared in the first (December 10, 2018–December 9, 2019) and second (December 10, 2019–November 30, 2020) years of surveillance. Results Outpatient visits and admissions for respiratory illness significantly decreased from the first to second year, especially among children. SARS‐CoV‐2 was not detected from any participants in Year 2. Among outpatients and inpatients with respiratory symptoms, the prevalence of respiratory syncytial virus and influenza viruses decreased from the first to second year. In contrast, the prevalence of rhinovirus/enterovirus, metapneumovirus and parainfluenza virus increased. Conclusions The epidemiology of respiratory viruses in rural Zambia changed during the first year of the COVID‐19 pandemic, suggesting that public health interventions may have had an impact on the introduction and circulation of respiratory pathogens in this area.