1
|
Guo F, Zhang P, Do V, Runge J, Zhang K, Han Z, Deng S, Lin H, Ali ST, Chen R, Guo Y, Tian L. Ozone as an environmental driver of influenza. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3763. [PMID: 38704386 PMCID: PMC11069565 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48199-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Under long-standing threat of seasonal influenza outbreaks, it remains imperative to understand the drivers of influenza dynamics which can guide mitigation measures. While the role of absolute humidity and temperature is extensively studied, the possibility of ambient ozone (O3) as an environmental driver of influenza has received scant attention. Here, using state-level data in the USA during 2010-2015, we examined such research hypothesis. For rigorous causal inference by evidence triangulation, we applied 3 distinct methods for data analysis: Convergent Cross Mapping from state-space reconstruction theory, Peter-Clark-momentary-conditional-independence plus as graphical modeling algorithms, and regression-based Generalised Linear Model. The negative impact of ambient O3 on influenza activity at 1-week lag is consistently demonstrated by those 3 methods. With O3 commonly known as air pollutant, the novel findings here on the inhibition effect of O3 on influenza activity warrant further investigations to inform environmental management and public health protection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fang Guo
- School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Pei Zhang
- School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Vivian Do
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jakob Runge
- Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), Institut für Datenwissenschaften, Jena, Germany
- Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Philosophy, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Machine Learning Department, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Zheshen Han
- School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Shenxi Deng
- School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Hongli Lin
- School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Sheikh Taslim Ali
- School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
- Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health Limited, Hong Kong Science Park, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Ruchong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Yuming Guo
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Linwei Tian
- School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong SAR, PR China.
- Institute for Climate and Carbon Neutrality, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong SAR, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chivé C, Martίn-Faivre L, Eon-Bertho A, Alwardini C, Degrouard J, Albinet A, Noyalet G, Chevaillier S, Maisonneuve F, Sallenave JM, Devineau S, Michoud V, Garcia-Verdugo I, Baeza-Squiban A. Exposure to PM 2.5 modulate the pro-inflammatory and interferon responses against influenza virus infection in a human 3D bronchial epithelium model. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 348:123781. [PMID: 38492752 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies showed a positive association between exposure to PM2.5 and the severity of influenza virus infection. However, the mechanisms by which PM2.5 can disrupt antiviral defence are still unclear. From this perspective, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of PM2.5 on antiviral signalling in the respiratory epithelium using the bronchial Calu-3 cell line grown at the air-liquid interface. Pre-exposure to PM2.5 before infection with the influenza virus was investigated, as well as a co-exposure. Although a physical interaction between the virus and the particles seems possible, no effect of PM2.5 on viral replication was observed during co-exposure, although a downregulation of IFN-β release was associated to PM2.5 exposure. However, pre-exposure slightly increased the viral nucleoprotein production and the pro-inflammatory response. Conversely, the level of the myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA), an interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) induced by IFN-β, was reduced. Therefore, these results suggest that pre-exposure to PM2.5 could alter the antiviral response of bronchial epithelial cells, increasing their susceptibility to viral infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Chivé
- Université Paris Cité, Functional and Adaptive Biology Unit, UMR8251-CNRS, Paris, France; French Environment and Energy Management Agency 20, Avenue Du Grésillé - BP, 90406 49004, Angers, France
| | - Lydie Martίn-Faivre
- Université Paris Cité, Inflamex Excellence Laboratory, INSERM UMR-1152-PHERE, F-75018, Paris, France
| | - Alice Eon-Bertho
- Université Paris Cité, Functional and Adaptive Biology Unit, UMR8251-CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Christelle Alwardini
- Université Paris Cité, Functional and Adaptive Biology Unit, UMR8251-CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Jéril Degrouard
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, 91405, Orsay, France
| | - Alexandre Albinet
- Institut National de L'Environnement Industriel et des Risques (INERIS), Parc Technologique Alata BP2, 60550, Verneuil en Halatte, France
| | - Gael Noyalet
- Université Paris Cité and Université Paris Est Créteil, CNRS, LISA, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Servanne Chevaillier
- Université Paris Cité and Université Paris Est Créteil, CNRS, LISA, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Franck Maisonneuve
- Université Paris Est Créteil and Université Paris Cité, CNRS, LISA, F-94010, Créteil, France
| | - Jean-Michel Sallenave
- Université Paris Cité, Inflamex Excellence Laboratory, INSERM UMR-1152-PHERE, F-75018, Paris, France
| | - Stéphanie Devineau
- Université Paris Cité, Functional and Adaptive Biology Unit, UMR8251-CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Michoud
- Université Paris Cité and Université Paris Est Créteil, CNRS, LISA, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Ignacio Garcia-Verdugo
- Université Paris Cité, Inflamex Excellence Laboratory, INSERM UMR-1152-PHERE, F-75018, Paris, France.
| | - Armelle Baeza-Squiban
- Université Paris Cité, Functional and Adaptive Biology Unit, UMR8251-CNRS, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Chen Q, Zheng X, Xu B, Sun M, Zhou Q, Lin J, Que X, Zhang X, Xu Y. Exploring the spatiotemporal relationship between influenza and air pollution in Fuzhou using spatiotemporal weighted regression model. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4116. [PMID: 38374382 PMCID: PMC10876554 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54630-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Air pollution has become a significant concern for human health, and its impact on influenza, has been increasingly recognized. This study aims to explore the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of the impacts of air pollution on influenza and to confirm a better method for infectious disease surveillance. Spearman correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between air pollution and the influenza case counts. VIF was used to test for collinearity among selected air pollutants. OLS regression, GWR, and STWR models were fitted to explore the potential spatiotemporal relationship between air pollution and influenza. The R2, the RSS and the AICc were used to evaluate and compare the models. In addition, the DTW and K-medoids algorithms were applied to cluster the county-level time-series coefficients. Compared with the OLS regression and GWR models, STWR model exhibits superior fit especially when the influenza outbreak changes rapidly and is able to more accurately capture the changes in different regions and time periods. We discovered that identical air pollutant factors may yield contrasting impacts on influenza within the same period in different areas of Fuzhou. NO2 and PM10 showed opposite impacts on influenza in the eastern and western areas of Fuzhou during all periods. Additionally, our investigation revealed that the relationship between air pollutant factors and influenza may exhibit temporal variations in certain regions. From 2013 to 2019, the influence coefficient of O3 on influenza epidemic intensity changed from negative to positive in the western region and from positive to negative in the eastern region. STWR model could be a useful method to explore the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of the impacts of air pollution on influenza in geospatial processes. The research findings emphasize the importance of considering spatiotemporal heterogeneity when studying the relationship between air pollution and influenza.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingquan Chen
- The Affiliated Fuzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China
- The School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zheng
- The Affiliated Fuzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China
- The School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Binglin Xu
- China Resources Double Crane Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, Beijing, 100079, China
| | - Mengcai Sun
- The Affiliated Fuzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China
- The School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Quan Zhou
- The Affiliated Fuzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China
- The School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Jin Lin
- Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350028, China
| | - Xiang Que
- Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350028, China
| | - Xiaoyang Zhang
- The Affiliated Fuzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China.
- The School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350108, China.
| | - Youqiong Xu
- The Affiliated Fuzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China.
- The School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350108, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Si X, Wang L, Mengersen K, Hu W. Epidemiological features of seasonal influenza transmission among 11 climate zones in Chinese Mainland. Infect Dis Poverty 2024; 13:4. [PMID: 38200542 PMCID: PMC10777546 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-024-01173-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies provided some evidence of meteorological factors influence seasonal influenza transmission patterns varying across regions and latitudes. However, research on seasonal influenza activities based on climate zones are still in lack. This study aims to utilize the ecological-based Köppen Geiger climate zones classification system to compare the spatial and temporal epidemiological characteristics of seasonal influenza in Chinese Mainland and assess the feasibility of developing an early warning system. METHODS Weekly influenza cases number from 2014 to 2019 at the county and city level were sourced from China National Notifiable Infectious Disease Report Information System. Epidemic temporal indices, time series seasonality decomposition, spatial modelling theories including Moran's I and local indicators of spatial association were applied to identify the spatial and temporal patterns of influenza transmission. RESULTS All climate zones had peaks in Winter-Spring season. Arid, desert, cold (BWk) showed up the first peak. Only Tropical, savannah (Aw) and Temperate, dry winter with hot summer (Cwa) zones had unique summer peak. Temperate, no dry season and hot summer (Cfa) zone had highest average incidence rate (IR) at 1.047/100,000. The Global Moran's I showed that average IR had significant clustered trend (z = 53.69, P < 0.001), with local Moran's I identified high-high cluster in Cfa and Cwa. IR differed among three age groups between climate zones (0-14 years old: F = 26.80, P < 0.001; 15-64 years old: F = 25.04, P < 0.001; Above 65 years old: F = 5.27, P < 0.001). Age group 0-14 years had highest average IR in Cwa and Cfa (IR = 6.23 and 6.21) with unique dual peaks in winter and spring season showed by seasonality decomposition. CONCLUSIONS Seasonal influenza exhibited distinct spatial and temporal patterns in different climate zones. Seasonal influenza primarily emerged in BWk, subsequently in Cfa and Cwa. Cfa, Cwa and BSk pose high risk for seasonal influenza epidemics. The research finds will provide scientific evidence for developing seasonal influenza early warning system based on climate zones.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohan Si
- Ecosystem Change and Population Health Research Group, School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, 4059, Australia
| | - Liping Wang
- Information Center, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Kerrie Mengersen
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, 4000, Australia
| | - Wenbiao Hu
- Ecosystem Change and Population Health Research Group, School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, 4059, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Yu LJ, Li XL, Wang YH, Zhang HY, Ruan SM, Jiang BG, Xu Q, Sun YS, Wang LP, Liu W, Yang Y, Fang LQ. Short-Term Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution and Influenza: A Multicity Study in China. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:127010. [PMID: 38078423 PMCID: PMC10711743 DOI: 10.1289/ehp12146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Air pollution is a major risk factor for planetary health and has long been suspected of predisposing humans to respiratory diseases induced by pathogens like influenza viruses. However, epidemiological evidence remains elusive due to lack of longitudinal data from large cohorts. OBJECTIVE Our aim is to quantify the short-term association of influenza incidence with exposure to ambient air pollutants in Chinese cities. METHODS Based on air pollutant data and influenza surveillance data from 82 cities in China over a period of 5 years, we applied a two-stage time series analysis to assess the association of daily incidence of reported influenza cases with six common air pollutants [particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μ m (PM 2.5 ), particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 μ m (PM 10 ), NO 2 , SO 2 , CO, and O 3 ], while adjusting for potential confounders including temperature, relative humidity, seasonality, and holiday effects. We built a distributed lag Poisson model for one or multiple pollutants in each individual city in the first stage and conducted a meta-analysis to pool city-specific estimates in the second stage. RESULTS A total of 3,735,934 influenza cases were reported in 82 cities from 2015 to 2019, accounting for 72.71% of the overall case number reported in the mainland of China. The time series models for each pollutant alone showed that the daily incidence of reported influenza cases was positively associated with almost all air pollutants except for ozone. The most prominent short-term associations were found for SO 2 and NO 2 with cumulative risk ratios of 1.094 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.054, 1.136] and 1.093 (95% CI: 1.067, 1.119), respectively, for each 10 μ g / m 3 increase in the concentration at each of the lags of 1-7 d. Only NO 2 showed a significant association with the daily incidence of influenza cases in the multipollutant model that adjusts all six air pollutants together. The impact of air pollutants on influenza was generally found to be greater in children, in subtropical cities, and during cold months. DISCUSSION Increased exposure to ambient air pollutants, particularly NO 2 , is associated with a higher risk of influenza-associated illness. Policies on reducing air pollution levels may help alleviate the disease burden due to influenza infection. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12146.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Jie Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Xin-Lou Li
- Department of Medical Research, Key Laboratory of Environmental Sense Organ Stress and Health of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, PLA Strategic Support Force Medical Center, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yan-He Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Hai-Yang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Shi-Man Ruan
- Jinan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, P. R. China
| | - Bao-Gui Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Qiang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yan-Song Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Li-Ping Wang
- Division of Infectious Disease, Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Early-Warning on Infectious Disease, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Statistics, Franklin College of Arts and Science, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Li-Qun Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhang R, Lai KY, Liu W, Liu Y, Ma X, Webster C, Luo L, Sarkar C. Associations between Short-Term Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution and Influenza: An Individual-Level Case-Crossover Study in Guangzhou, China. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:127009. [PMID: 38078424 PMCID: PMC10711742 DOI: 10.1289/ehp12145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Influenza imposes a heavy burden on public health. Little is known, however, of the associations between detailed measures of exposure to ambient air pollution and influenza at an individual level. OBJECTIVE We examined individual-level associations between six criteria air pollutants and influenza using case-crossover design. METHODS In this individual-level time-stratified case-crossover study, we linked influenza cases collected by the Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2019 with individual residence-level exposure to particulate matter (PM 2.5 and PM 10 ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), ozone (O 3 ) and carbon monoxide (CO). The exposures were estimated for the day of onset of influenza symptoms (lag 0), 1-7 d before the onset (lags 1-7), as well as an 8-d moving average (lag07), using a random forest model and linked to study participants' home addresses. Conditional logistic regression was developed to investigate the associations between short-term exposure to air pollution and influenza, adjusting for mean temperature, relative humidity, public holidays, population mobility, and community influenza susceptibility. RESULTS N = 108,479 eligible cases were identified in our study. Every 10 - μ g / m 3 increase in exposure to PM 2.5 , PM 10 , NO 2 , and CO and every 5 - μ g / m 3 increase in SO 2 over 8-d moving average (lag07) was associated with higher risk of influenza with a relative risk (RR) of 1.028 (95% CI: 1.018, 1.038), 1.041 (95% CI: 1.032, 1.049), 1.169 (95% CI: 1.151, 1.188), 1.004 (95% CI: 1.003, 1.006), and 1.134 (95% CI: 1.107, 1.163), respectively. There was a negative association between O 3 and influenza with a RR of 0.878 (95% CI: 0.866, 0.890). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that short-term exposure to air pollution, except for O 3 , is associated with greater risk for influenza. Further studies are necessary to decipher underlying mechanisms and design preventive interventions and policies. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12145.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rong Zhang
- Healthy High Density Cities Lab, HKUrbanLab, University of Hong Kong (HKU), Hong Kong, China
- Department of Urban Planning and Design, HKU, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ka Yan Lai
- Healthy High Density Cities Lab, HKUrbanLab, University of Hong Kong (HKU), Hong Kong, China
- Department of Urban Planning and Design, HKU, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wenhui Liu
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanhui Liu
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaowei Ma
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chris Webster
- Healthy High Density Cities Lab, HKUrbanLab, University of Hong Kong (HKU), Hong Kong, China
- Department of Urban Planning and Design, HKU, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lei Luo
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chinmoy Sarkar
- Healthy High Density Cities Lab, HKUrbanLab, University of Hong Kong (HKU), Hong Kong, China
- Department of Urban Planning and Design, HKU, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Yang J, Zhang T, Yang L, Han X, Zhang X, Wang Q, Feng L, Yang W. Association between ozone and influenza transmissibility in China. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:763. [PMID: 37932657 PMCID: PMC10626750 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08769-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Common air pollutants such as ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and particulate matter play significant roles as influential factors in influenza-like illness (ILI). However, evidence regarding the impact of O3 on influenza transmissibility in multi-subtropical regions is limited, and our understanding of the effects of O3 on influenza transmissibility in temperate regions remain unknown. METHODS We studied the transmissibility of influenza in eight provinces across both temperate and subtropical regions in China based on 2013 to 2018 provincial-level surveillance data on influenza-like illness (ILI) incidence and viral activity. We estimated influenza transmissibility by using the instantaneous reproduction number ([Formula: see text]) and examined the relationships between transmissibility and daily O3 concentrations, air temperature, humidity, and school holidays. We developed a multivariable regression model for [Formula: see text] to quantify the contribution of O3 to variations in transmissibility. RESULTS Our findings revealed a significant association between O3 and influenza transmissibility. In Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai and Jiangsu, the association exhibited a U-shaped trend. In Liaoning, Gansu, Hunan, and Guangdong, the association was L-shaped. When aggregating data across all eight provinces, a U-shaped association was emerged. O3 was able to accounted for up to 13% of the variance in [Formula: see text]. O3 plus other environmental drivers including mean daily temperature, relative humidity, absolute humidity, and school holidays explained up to 20% of the variance in [Formula: see text]. CONCLUSIONS O3 was a significant driver of influenza transmissibility, and the association between O3 and influenza transmissibility tended to display a U-shaped pattern.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Yang
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Pathogen Infection Prevention and Control (Peking Union Medical College), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Pathogen Infection Prevention and Control (Peking Union Medical College), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Liuyang Yang
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Pathogen Infection Prevention and Control (Peking Union Medical College), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Department of Management Science and Information System, Faculty of Management and Economics, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xuan Han
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Pathogen Infection Prevention and Control (Peking Union Medical College), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Xingxing Zhang
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Pathogen Infection Prevention and Control (Peking Union Medical College), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Qing Wang
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Pathogen Infection Prevention and Control (Peking Union Medical College), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Luzhao Feng
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity, Beijing, China.
- Key Laboratory of Pathogen Infection Prevention and Control (Peking Union Medical College), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China.
| | - Weizhong Yang
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity, Beijing, China.
- Key Laboratory of Pathogen Infection Prevention and Control (Peking Union Medical College), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Chen Y, Hou W, Hou W, Dong J. Lagging effects and prediction of pollutants and their interaction modifiers on influenza in northeastern China. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1826. [PMID: 37726705 PMCID: PMC10510220 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16712-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have typically explored the daily lagged relations between influenza and meteorology, but few have explored seasonally the monthly lagged relationship, interaction and multiple prediction between influenza and pollution. Our specific objectives are to evaluate the lagged and interaction effects of pollution factors and construct models for estimating influenza incidence in a hierarchical manner. METHODS Our researchers collect influenza case data from 2005 to 2018 with meteorological and contaminative factors in Northeast China. We develop a generalized additive model with up to 6 months of maximum lag to analyze the impact of pollution factors on influenza cases and their interaction effects. We employ LASSO regression to identify the most significant environmental factors and conduct multiple complex regression analysis. In addition, quantile regression is taken to model the relation between influenza morbidity and specific percentiles (or quantiles) of meteorological factors. RESULTS The influenza epidemic in Northeast China has shown an upward trend year by year. The excessive incidence of influenza in Northeast China may be attributed to the suspected primary air pollutant, NO2, which has been observed to have overall low levels during January, March, and June. The Age 15-24 group shows an increase in the relative risk of influenza with an increase in PM2.5 concentration, with a lag of 0-6 months (ERR 1.08, 95% CI 0.10-2.07). In the quantitative analysis of the interaction model, PM10 at the level of 100-120 μg/m3, PM2.5 at the level of 60-80 μg/m3, and NO2 at the level of 60 μg/m3 or more have the greatest effect on the onset of influenza. The GPR model behaves better among prediction models. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to the air pollutant NO2 is associated with an increased risk of influenza with a cumulative lag effect. Prioritizing winter and spring pollution monitoring and influenza prediction modeling should be our focus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ye Chen
- Department of Infectious Disease, Shenyang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 110100, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
- Shenyang Natural Focal Diseases Clinical Medical Research Center, 110100, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiming Hou
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, 110122, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiyu Hou
- The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, No.85 Jiefang South Road, 030012, Taiyuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Dong
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, 110122, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Stress and Chronic Disease Control & Prevention (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, No.77 Puhe Road, 110122, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Yang Y, Lian J, Jia X, Wang T, Fan J, Yang C, Wang Y, Bao J. Spatial distribution and driving factors of the associations between temperature and influenza-like illness in the United States: a time-stratified case-crossover study. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1403. [PMID: 37474889 PMCID: PMC10360314 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16240-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several previous studies investigated the associations between temperature and influenza in a single city or region without a national picture. The attributable risk of influenza due to temperature and the corresponding driving factors were unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the spatial distribution characteristics of attributable risk of Influenza-like illness (ILI) caused by adverse temperatures and explore the related driving factors in the United States. METHODS ILI, meteorological factors, and PM2.5 of 48 states in the United States were collected during 2011-2019. The time-stratified case-crossover design with a distributed lag non-linear model was carried out to evaluate the association between temperature and ILI at the state level. The multivariate meta-analysis was performed to obtain the combined effects at the national level. The attributable fraction (AF) was calculated to assess the ILI burden ascribed to adverse temperatures. The ordinary least square model (OLS), spatial lag model (SLM), and spatial error model (SEM) were utilized to identify driving factors. RESULTS A total of 7,716,115 ILI cases were included in this study. Overall, the temperature was negatively associated with ILI risk, and lower temperature gave rise to a higher risk of ILI. AF ascribed to adverse temperatures differed across states, from 49.44% (95% eCI: 36.47% ~ 58.68%) in Montana to 6.51% (95% eCI: -6.49% ~ 16.46%) in Wisconsin. At the national level, 29.08% (95% eCI: 27.60% ~ 30.24%) of ILI was attributable to cold. Per 10,000 dollars increase in per-capita income was associated with the increment in AF (OLS: β = -6.110, P = 0.021; SLM: β = -5.496, P = 0.022; SEM: β = -6.150, P = 0.022). CONCLUSION The cold could enhance the risk of ILI and result in a considerable proportion of ILI disease burden. The ILI burden attributed to cold varied across states and was higher in those states with lower economic status. Targeted prevention programs should be considered to lower the burden of influenza.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongli Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
| | - Jiao Lian
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
| | - Xiaocan Jia
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
| | - Tianrun Wang
- School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Jingwen Fan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
| | - Chaojun Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
| | - Yuping Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
| | - Junzhe Bao
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Yang J, Fan G, Zhang L, Zhang T, Xu Y, Feng L, Yang W. The association between ambient pollutants and influenza transmissibility: A nationwide study involving 30 provinces in China. Influenza Other Respir Viruses 2023; 17:e13177. [PMID: 37492239 PMCID: PMC10363796 DOI: 10.1111/irv.13177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The impact of exposure to ambient pollutants on influenza transmissibility is poorly understood. We aim to examine the associations of six ambient pollutants with influenza transmissibility in China and assess the effect of the depletion of susceptibles. Methods Provincial-level surveillance data on weekly influenza-like illness (ILI) incidence and viral activity were utilized to estimate the instantaneous reproduction number (Rt) using spline functions. Log-linear regression and the distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) were employed to investigate the effects of ambient pollutants-ozone (O3), particulate matter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5), particulate matter ≤10 μm (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon monoxide (CO)-on influenza transmissibility across 30 Chinese provinces from 2014 to 2019. Additionally, the potential effects of the depletion of susceptibles and regional characteristics were explored. Results There is a significantly positive correlation between influenza transmissibility and five distinct ambient pollutants: PM2.5, PM10, SO2, CO, and NO2. On average, these ambient pollutants explained percentages of the variance in Rt: 0.8%, 0.8%, 1.9%, 1.3%, and 1.4%, respectively. Conversely, O3 was found to be negatively associated with Rt, explaining 1.5% of the variance in Rt. When controlling for the effect of susceptibles depletion, the effects of all pollutants were more pronounced. The effects of PM2.5, PM10, CO, and SO2 were higher in the eastern and southern regions. Conclusions Most ambient pollutants may potentially contribute to the facilitation of human-to-human influenza virus transmission in China. This observed association was maintained even after adjusting for variation in the susceptible population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Yang
- School of Population Medicine and Public HealthChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Guohui Fan
- School of Population Medicine and Public HealthChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
- National Center for Respiratory MedicineNational Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, China‐Japan Friendship HospitalBeijingChina
- Institute of Respiratory MedicineChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
- Department of Clinical Research and Data managementCenter of Respiratory Medicine, China‐Japan Friendship HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Li Zhang
- School of Life Course and Population SciencesKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Ting Zhang
- School of Population Medicine and Public HealthChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Yunshao Xu
- School of Population Medicine and Public HealthChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Luzhao Feng
- School of Population Medicine and Public HealthChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Weizhong Yang
- School of Population Medicine and Public HealthChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ogaugwu C, Mmaduakor C, Adewale O. Association of Meteorological Factors With COVID-19 During Harmattan in Nigeria. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INSIGHTS 2023; 17:11786302231156298. [PMID: 36852416 PMCID: PMC9950808 DOI: 10.1177/11786302231156298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Harmattan is a season of dry, cold, dusty wind, and haze that is peculiar to West Africa. This season and COVID-19 share common conditions such as malaise and respiratory issues like as runny nose, cough and sneezing, and raise a question of a possible relationship that begs to be answered. This study investigated whether the meteorological factors of humidity and wind speed during harmattan have association with COVID-19 incidence and mortality in the 2 major COVID-19 epicenters of Lagos state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in southern and northern geopolitical regions of Nigeria respectively. Data used were from March, 2020 to February, 2022, which corresponded to the period of 2 years after the first case of COVID-19 was detected in Nigeria. Correlation analysis was performed using incidence or mortality data on COVID-19 over the duration of 2 years and during the harmattan periods, as well as the humidity and wind speed data for the corresponding periods. Our results showed that there was no significant correlation between the humidity or wind speed and COVID-19 daily incidence or mortality during the harmattan and non-harmattan periods in Lagos state. In the FCT however, there was a significant positive correlation between humidity and COVID-19 incidence, as well as a negative correlation between wind speed and COVID-19 incidence. No significant correlation existed between humidity or wind speed and daily mortality. Taken together, the findings of this study show that weather components of the harmattan season have association with COVID-19 incidence but not mortality, and the association could vary depending on location.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Ogaugwu
- Department of Animal and Environmental
Biology, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria
| | - Chika Mmaduakor
- Department of Mathematics, Federal
University Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ma P, Zhou N, Wang X, Zhang Y, Tang X, Yang Y, Ma X, Wang S. Stronger susceptibilities to air pollutants of influenza A than B were identified in subtropical Shenzhen, China. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 219:115100. [PMID: 36565842 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.115100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution was indicated to be a key factor contributing to the aggressive spread of influenza viruses, whereas uncertainty still exists regarding to whether distinctions exist between influenza subtypes. Our study quantified the impact of five air pollutants on influenza subtype outbreaks in Shenzhen, China, a densely populated and highly urbanized megacity. Daily influenza outbreak data of laboratory-confirmed positive cases were obtained from the Shenzhen CDC, from May 1, 2013 to Dec 31, 2015. Concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matters ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5), particulate matters ≤10 μm (PM10), and ozone (O3), were retrieved from the 18 national monitoring stations. The generalized additive model (GAM) and distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) were used to calculate the concentration-response relationships between environmental inducers and outbreak epidemics, respectively for influenza A (Flu-A) and B (Flu-B). There were 1687 positive specimens were confirmed during the study period. The cold season was restricted from Nov. 4th to Apr. 20th, covering all seasons other than the long-lasting summer. Relatively heavy fine particle matter (PM2.5) and NO2 pollution was observed in cold months, with mean concentrations of 46.06 μg/m3 and 40.03 μg/m3, respectively. Time-series analysis indicated that high concentrations of NO2, PM2.5, PM10, and O3 were associated with more influenza outbreaks at short lag periods (0-5 d). Although more Flu-B (679 cases) epidemics occurred than Flu-A (382 cases) in the cold season, Flu-A generally showed higher susceptibility to air pollutants. A 10 μg/m3 increment in concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, and O3 at lag 04, was associated with a 2.103 (95%CI: 1.528-2.893), 1.618 (95%CI: 1.311-1.996), and 1.569 (95%CI: 1.214-2.028) of the relative risk (RR) of Flu-A, respectively. A 5 μg/m3 increase in NO2 was associated with higher risk of Flu-A at lag 03 (RR = 1.646, 95%CI: 1.295-2.092) and of Flu-B at lag 04 (RR = 1.319, 95%CI: 1.095-1.588). Nevertheless, barely significant effect of particulate matters (PM2.5, PM10) on Flu-B and SO2 on both subtypes was detected. Further, the effect estimates of NO2 increased for both subtypes when coexisting with other pollutants. This study provides evidence that declining concentrations of main pollutants including NO2, O3, and particulate matters, could substantially decrease influenza risk in subtropical Shenzhen, especially for influenza A.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pan Ma
- Plateau Atmosphere and Environment Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Atmospheric Science, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu, 610225, Sichuan, China; Chengdu Plain Urban Meteorology and Environment Scientific Observation and Research Station of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 610225, Sichuan, China.
| | - Ning Zhou
- The First People's Hospital of Lanzhou, Lanzhou, 730050, Gansu, China.
| | - Xinzi Wang
- Meteorological Bureau of Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, China.
| | - Ying Zhang
- Plateau Atmosphere and Environment Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Atmospheric Science, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu, 610225, Sichuan, China; Chengdu Plain Urban Meteorology and Environment Scientific Observation and Research Station of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 610225, Sichuan, China.
| | - Xiaoxin Tang
- Shenzhen National Climate Observatory, Shenzhen, 518000, China.
| | - Yang Yang
- Plateau Atmosphere and Environment Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Atmospheric Science, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu, 610225, Sichuan, China.
| | - Xiaolu Ma
- Plateau Atmosphere and Environment Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Atmospheric Science, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu, 610225, Sichuan, China.
| | - Shigong Wang
- Plateau Atmosphere and Environment Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Atmospheric Science, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu, 610225, Sichuan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Lian XY, Xi L, Zhang ZS, Yang LL, Du J, Cui Y, Li HJ, Zhang WX, Wang C, Liu B, Yang YN, Cui F, Lu QB. Impact of air pollutants on influenza-like illness outpatient visits under COVID-19 pandemic in the subcenter of Beijing, China. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28514. [PMID: 36661040 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the association between air pollutants and outpatient visits for influenza-like illnesses (ILI) under the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) stage in the subcenter of Beijing. The data on ILI in the subcenter of Beijing from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020 were obtained from the Beijing Influenza Surveillance Network. A generalized additive Poisson model was applied to examine the associations between the concentrations of air pollutants and daily outpatient visits for ILI when controlling meteorological factors and temporal trend. A total of 171 943 ILI patients were included. In the pre-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) stage, an increased risk of ILI outpatient visits was associated to a high air quality index (AQI) and the high concentrations of particulate matter less than 2.5 (PM2.5 ), particulate matter 10 (PM10 ), sulphur dioxide (SO2 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ), and carbon monoxide (CO), and a low concentration of ozone (O3 ) on lag0 day and lag1 day, while a higher increased risk of ILI outpatient visits was observed by the air pollutants in the COVID-19 stage on lag0 day. Except for PM10 , the concentrations of other air pollutants on lag1 day were not significantly associated with an increased risk of ILI outpatient visits during the COVID-19 stage. The findings that air pollutants had enhanced immediate effects and diminished lag-effects on the risk of ILI outpatient visits during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is important for the development of public health and environmental governance strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yao Lian
- Department of Laboratorial Science and Technology, Vaccine Research Center, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Xi
- Beijing Tongzhou Center for Diseases Prevention and Control, Institute for Infectious Diseases and Endemic Diseases Prevention and Control, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhong Song Zhang
- Department of Laboratorial Science and Technology, Vaccine Research Center, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Li Yang
- Beijing Tongzhou Center for Diseases Prevention and Control, Institute for Infectious Diseases and Endemic Diseases Prevention and Control, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Du
- Global Center for Infectious Disease and Policy Research & Global Health and Infectious Diseases Group, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Cui
- Beijing Tongzhou Center for Diseases Prevention and Control, Institute for Infectious Diseases and Endemic Diseases Prevention and Control, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Jun Li
- Beijing Tongzhou Center for Diseases Prevention and Control, Institute for Infectious Diseases and Endemic Diseases Prevention and Control, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Wan Xue Zhang
- Global Center for Infectious Disease and Policy Research & Global Health and Infectious Diseases Group, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Wang
- Global Center for Infectious Disease and Policy Research & Global Health and Infectious Diseases Group, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Bei Liu
- Global Center for Infectious Disease and Policy Research & Global Health and Infectious Diseases Group, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Na Yang
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Beijing Economic and Technological Development Area, Institute for Infectious Diseases and Endemic Diseases Prevention and Control, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Fuqiang Cui
- Department of Laboratorial Science and Technology, Vaccine Research Center, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Global Center for Infectious Disease and Policy Research & Global Health and Infectious Diseases Group, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Bin Lu
- Department of Laboratorial Science and Technology, Vaccine Research Center, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Global Center for Infectious Disease and Policy Research & Global Health and Infectious Diseases Group, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Yin J, Liu T, Tang F, Chen D, Sun L, Song S, Zhang S, Wu J, Li Z, Xing W, Wang X, Ding G. Effects of ambient temperature on influenza-like illness: A multicity analysis in Shandong Province, China, 2014-2017. Front Public Health 2023; 10:1095436. [PMID: 36699880 PMCID: PMC9868675 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1095436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The associations between ambient temperature and influenza-like illness (ILI) have been investigated in previous studies. However, they have inconsistent results. The purpose of this study was to estimate the effect of ambient temperature on ILI in Shandong Province, China. Methods Weekly ILI surveillance and meteorological data over 2014-2017 of the Shandong Province were collected from the Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the China Meteorological Data Service Center, respectively. A distributed lag non-linear model was adopted to estimate the city-specific temperature-ILI relationships, which were used to pool the regional-level and provincial-level estimates through a multivariate meta-analysis. Results There were 911,743 ILI cases reported in the study area between 2014 and 2017. The risk of ILI increased with decreasing weekly ambient temperature at the provincial level, and the effect was statistically significant when the temperature was <-1.5°C (RR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.00-1.54). We found that the relationship between temperature and ILI showed an L-shaped curve at the regional level, except for Southern Shandong (S-shaped). The risk of ILI was influenced by cold, with significant lags from 2.5 to 3 weeks, and no significant effect of heat on ILI was found. Conclusion Our findings confirm that low temperatures significantly increased the risk of ILI in the study area. In addition, the cold effect of ambient temperature may cause more risk of ILI than the hot effect. The findings have significant implications for developing strategies to control ILI and respond to climate change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia Yin
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China,Center for Big Data Research in Health and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Ti Liu
- Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Fang Tang
- Center for Big Data Research in Health and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Dongzhen Chen
- Institute of Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Liaocheng Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Liaocheng, Shandong, China
| | - Lin Sun
- Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Shaoxia Song
- Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Shengyang Zhang
- Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Julong Wu
- Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Zhong Li
- Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Weijia Xing
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China,Weijia Xing ✉
| | - Xianjun Wang
- Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, Shandong, China,Xianjun Wang ✉
| | - Guoyong Ding
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China,*Correspondence: Guoyong Ding ✉
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Seah A, Loo LH, Jamali N, Maiwald M, Aik J. The influence of air quality and meteorological variations on influenza A and B virus infections in a paediatric population in Singapore. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 216:114453. [PMID: 36183790 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Influenza is an important cause of paediatric illness across the globe. However, information about the relationships between air pollution, meteorological variability and paediatric influenza A and B infections in tropical settings is limited. METHODS We analysed all daily reports of influenza A and B infections in children <5 years old obtained from the largest specialist women and children's hospital in Singapore. In separate negative binomial regression models, we assessed the dependence of paediatric influenza A and B infections on air quality and meteorological variability, using multivariable fractional polynomial modelling and adjusting for time-varying confounders. RESULTS Approximately 80% of 7329 laboratory-confirmed reports were caused by influenza A. We observed positive associations between sulphur dioxide (SO2) exposure and the subsequent risk of infection with both influenza types. We observed evidence of a harvesting effect of SO2 on Influenza A but not Influenza B. Ambient temperature was associated with a decline in influenza A reports (Relative Risk at lag 5 [RRlag5]: 0.949, 95% CI: 0.916-0.983). Rainfall was positively associated with a subsequent increase in influenza A reports (RRlag3: 1.044, 95% CI: 1.017-1.071). Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration was positively associated with influenza B reports (RRlag5: 1.015, 95% CI: 1.005-1.025). There was a non-linear association between CO and influenza B reports. Absolute humidity increased the ensuing risk of influenza B (RRlag5: 4.799, 95% CI: 2.277-10.118). Influenza A and B infections displayed dissimilar but predictable within-year seasonal patterns. CONCLUSIONS We observed different independent associations between air quality and meteorological variability with paediatric influenza A and B infections. Anticipated seasonal infection peaks and variations in air quality and meteorological parameters can inform the timing of community measures aimed at reducing influenza infection risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annabel Seah
- Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology Division, National Environment Agency, 40 Scotts Road, Environment Building, #13-00, 228231, Singapore.
| | - Liat Hui Loo
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, 100 Bukit Timah Road, 229899, Singapore; Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, 8 College Road, 169857, Singapore.
| | - Natasha Jamali
- Environmental Monitoring and Modelling Division, National Environment Agency, 40 Scotts Road, #13-00, 228231, Singapore.
| | - Matthias Maiwald
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, 100 Bukit Timah Road, 229899, Singapore; Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, 8 College Road, 169857, Singapore; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, NUHS Tower Block, 1E Kent Ridge Road Level 11, 119228, Singapore.
| | - Joel Aik
- Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology Division, National Environment Agency, 40 Scotts Road, Environment Building, #13-00, 228231, Singapore; Pre-Hospital & Emergency Research Centre, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, 169857, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Yang J, Yang Z, Qi L, Li M, Liu D, Liu X, Tong S, Sun Q, Feng L, Ou CQ, Liu Q. Influence of air pollution on influenza-like illness in China: a nationwide time-series analysis. EBioMedicine 2022; 87:104421. [PMID: 36563486 PMCID: PMC9800295 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence concerning effects of air pollution on influenza-like illness (ILI) from multi-center is limited and little is known about how regional factors might modify this relationship. METHODS In this ecological study, ILI cases defined as outpatients with temperature ≥38 °C, accompanied by cough or sore throat, were collected from National Influenza Surveillance Network in China. We adopted generalized additive model with quasi-Poisson to estimate province-specific association between air pollution and ILI in 30 Chinese provinces during 2015-2019, after adjusting for time trend and meteorological factors. We then pooled province-specific association by using random-effect meta-analysis. Potential effect modifications of season and regional characteristics were explored. FINDINGS A total of 26, 004, 853 ILI cases and 777, 223, 877 hospital outpatients were collected. In general, effects of air pollutants were acute. An inter-quartile range increase of PM2.5, SO2, PM10, NO2 and CO at lag0, and O3 at lag0-2 was associated with 3.08% (95% CI: 1.91%, 4.27%), 3.00% (1.86%, 4.16%), 6.46% (4.71%, 8.25%), 7.21% (5.73%, 8.71%), 4.37% (3.05%, 5.70%), and -9.26% (-11.32%, -7.14%) change of ILI at national level, respectively. Associations between air pollutants and ILI varied by season and regions, with higher effect estimates in cold season, eastern and central regions and provinces with more humid condition and larger population. INTERPRETATION This study indicated that most air pollutants increased the risk of ILI in China. Our findings might provide implications for the development of policies to protect public health from air pollution and influenza. FUNDING National Natural Science Foundation of China and Chongqing Health Commission Program.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yang
- School of Public Health, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China,Corresponding author.
| | - Zhou Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Biostatistics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Li Qi
- Chongqing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Mengmeng Li
- Department of Cancer Prevention, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Di Liu
- School of Public Health, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Xiaobo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Shilu Tong
- Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Qinghua Sun
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Luzhao Feng
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China,Corresponding author.
| | - Chun-Quan Ou
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Biostatistics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Qiyong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, China,Corresponding author.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Rittweger J, Gilardi L, Baltruweit M, Dally S, Erbertseder T, Mittag U, Naeem M, Schmid M, Schmitz MT, Wüst S, Dech S, Jordan J, Antoni T, Bittner M. Temperature and particulate matter as environmental factors associated with seasonality of influenza incidence - an approach using Earth observation-based modeling in a health insurance cohort study from Baden-Württemberg (Germany). Environ Health 2022; 21:131. [PMID: 36527040 PMCID: PMC9755806 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-022-00927-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Influenza seasonality has been frequently studied, but its mechanisms are not clear. Urban in-situ studies have linked influenza to meteorological or pollutant stressors. Few studies have investigated rural and less polluted areas in temperate climate zones. OBJECTIVES We examined influences of medium-term residential exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), NO2, SO2, air temperature and precipitation on influenza incidence. METHODS To obtain complete spatial coverage of Baden-Württemberg, we modeled environmental exposure from data of the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service and of the Copernicus Climate Change Service. We computed spatiotemporal aggregates to reflect quarterly mean values at post-code level. Moreover, we prepared health insurance data to yield influenza incidence between January 2010 and December 2018. We used generalized additive models, with Gaussian Markov random field smoothers for spatial input, whilst using or not using quarter as temporal input. RESULTS In the 3.85 million cohort, 513,404 influenza cases occurred over the 9-year period, with 53.6% occurring in quarter 1 (January to March), and 10.2%, 9.4% and 26.8% in quarters 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Statistical modeling yielded highly significant effects of air temperature, precipitation, PM2.5 and NO2. Computation of stressor-specific gains revealed up to 3499 infections per 100,000 AOK clients per year that are attributable to lowering ambient mean air temperature from 18.71 °C to 2.01 °C. Stressor specific gains were also substantial for fine particulate matter, yielding up to 502 attributable infections per 100,000 clients per year for an increase from 7.49 μg/m3 to 15.98 μg/m3. CONCLUSIONS Whilst strong statistical association of temperature with other stressors makes it difficult to distinguish between direct and mediated temperature effects, results confirm genuine effects by fine particulate matter on influenza infections for both rural and urban areas in a temperate climate. Future studies should attempt to further establish the mediating mechanisms to inform public health policies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jörn Rittweger
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), 51147, Cologne, Germany.
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
| | - Lorenza Gilardi
- German Remote Sensing Data Center, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany
| | - Maxana Baltruweit
- Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse Baden-Württemberg (AOK-BW), Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Simon Dally
- Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse Baden-Württemberg (AOK-BW), Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Thilo Erbertseder
- German Remote Sensing Data Center, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany
| | - Uwe Mittag
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), 51147, Cologne, Germany
| | - Muhammad Naeem
- Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Pakistan
| | - Matthias Schmid
- Institute of Medical Biometry, Informatics and Epidemiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marie-Therese Schmitz
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), 51147, Cologne, Germany
- Institute of Medical Biometry, Informatics and Epidemiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sabine Wüst
- German Remote Sensing Data Center, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany
| | - Stefan Dech
- German Remote Sensing Data Center, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany
| | - Jens Jordan
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), 51147, Cologne, Germany
- Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Tobias Antoni
- Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse Baden-Württemberg (AOK-BW), Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Michael Bittner
- German Remote Sensing Data Center, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Zhang Y, Wang S, Feng Z, Song Y. Influenza incidence and air pollution: Findings from a four-year surveillance study of prefecture-level cities in China. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1071229. [PMID: 36530677 PMCID: PMC9755172 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1071229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Influenza is a serious public health problem, and its prevalence and spread show significant spatiotemporal characteristics. Previous studies have found that air pollutants are linked to an increased risk of influenza. However, the mechanism of influence and the degree of their association have not been determined. This study aimed to determine the influence of the air environment on the spatiotemporal distribution of influenza. Methods The kernel density estimation and Getis-Ord Gi * statistic were used to analyze the spatial distribution of the influenza incidence and air pollutants in China. A simple analysis of the correlation between influenza and air pollutants was performed using Spearman's correlation coefficients. A linear regression analysis was performed to examine changes in the influenza incidence in response to air pollutants. The sensitivity of the influenza incidence to changes in air pollutants was evaluated by performing a gray correlation analysis. Lastly, the entropy weight method was used to calculate the weight coefficient of each method and thus the comprehensive sensitivity of influenza incidence to six pollution elements. Results The results of the sensitivity analysis using Spearman's correlation coefficients showed the following ranking of the contributions of the air pollutants to the influenza incidence in descending order: SO2 >NO2 >CO> PM2.5 >O3 >PM10. The sensitivity results obtained from the linear regression analysis revealed the following ranking: CO>NO2 >SO2 >O3 >PM2.5 >PM10. Lastly, the sensitivity results obtained from the gray correlation analysis showed the following ranking: NO2 >CO>PM10 >PM2.5 >SO2 >O3. According to the sensitivity score, the study area can be divided into hypersensitive, medium-sensitive, and low-sensitive areas. Conclusion The influenza incidence showed a strong spatial correlation and associated sensitivity to changes in concentrations of air pollutants. Hypersensitive areas were mainly located in the southeastern part of northeastern China, the coastal areas of the Yellow River Basin, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and surrounding areas, and the Yangtze River Delta. The influenza incidence was most sensitive to CO, NO2, and SO2, with the occurrence of influenza being most likely in areas with elevated concentrations of these three pollutants. Therefore, the formulation of targeted influenza prevention and control strategies tailored for hypersensitive, medium-sensitive, low-sensitive, and insensitive areas are urgently needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- School of Geographical Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Shijun Wang
- School of Geographical Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Geographical Processes and Ecological Security in Changbai Mountains, Ministry of Education, Changchun, China
| | - Zhangxian Feng
- School of Geographical Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Geographical Processes and Ecological Security in Changbai Mountains, Ministry of Education, Changchun, China
| | - Yang Song
- School of Geographical Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Geographical Processes and Ecological Security in Changbai Mountains, Ministry of Education, Changchun, China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Ng H, Li Y, Zhang T, Lu Y, Wong C, Ni J, Zhao Q. Association between multiple meteorological variables and seasonal influenza A and B virus transmission in Macau. Heliyon 2022; 8:e11820. [DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
|
20
|
Rafeek RAM, Divarathna MVM, Morel AJ, Noordeen F. Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of influenza virus infection in hospitalized children with acute respiratory infections in Sri Lanka. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272415. [PMID: 36054097 PMCID: PMC9439189 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza viruses (Inf-V) are an important cause of acute respiratory infection (ARI) in children. This study was undertaken to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of Inf-V infections in a sample of hospitalized children with ARI. Nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) from 500 children between 1 month to 5 years old with symptoms of ARI were collected at the Teaching Hospital Kegalle Sri Lanka From May 2016 to June 2018, NPAs were tested for influenza A (Inf-A) and B (Inf-B) viruses, human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV), human parainfluenza virus (hPIV) 1–3 using an immunofluorescence assay. The Inf-V were then subtyped using a multiplex RT-PCR. Inf-V were detected in 10.75% (54/502) of the hospitalized children with ARI and in that 5.57% (28/502) were positive for Inf-A and 5.17% (26/502) were positive for Inf-B. Of the 54 Inf-V positive children, 33 were aged between 6 and 20 months. Of the 28 children infected with Inf-A, 15 had uncharacterized lower respiratory infection, 7 had bronchopneumonia and 6 had bronchiolitis. Of the 26 children infected with Inf-B, 11 had uncharacterized lower respiratory infection, 10 had bronchiolitis, and 4 had bronchopneumonia. Inf-B circulated throughout the year with a few peaks, one in June and then in August followed by November to December in 2016 and one in April 2017 and January 2018. Inf-A circulated throughout the year with a major peak in March to April 2017 and July 2018. ARI was more common in boys compared to girls. Majority of the children infected with Inf-V were diagnosed with uncharacterized lower respiratory infection and mild to moderate bronchiolitis. Inf-V infections were prevalent throughout the year in the study area of Sri Lanka with variations in the type of the circulating virus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rukshan A. M. Rafeek
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | - Maduja V. M. Divarathna
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | | | - Faseeha Noordeen
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- * E-mail: ,
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Lei C, Lou CT, Io K, SiTou KI, Ip CP, U H, Pan B, Ung COL. Viral etiology among children hospitalized for acute respiratory tract infections and its association with meteorological factors and air pollutants: a time-series study (2014-2017) in Macao. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:588. [PMID: 35786346 PMCID: PMC9250746 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07585-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The associations between viral etiology of acute respiratory infections (ARI) with meteorological factors and air pollutants among children is not fully understood. This study aimed to explore the viral etiology among children hospitalized for ARI and the association of meteorological factors and air pollutants with children hospitalization due to viral ARI. Methods Electronic health record data about children (aged between 1 month and 14 years) admitted for ARI at Kiang Wu Hospital in Macao between 2014 and 2017 was analyzed retrospectively. xMAP multiplex assays were used to detect viruses in the nasopharyngeal swab and distributed-lag nonlinear model (DLNM) was used to evaluate associations. Results Among the 4880 cases of children hospitalization due to ARI, 3767 (77.2%) were tested positive for at least one virus and 676 (18%) exhibited multiple infections. Enterovirus (EV)/rhinovirus (HRV), adenovirus (ADV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza virus (IFV) were the most common viral pathogens associated with ARI and human bocavirus (hBOV) exhibited the highest multiple infection rates. Meteorological factors and air pollutants (PM10, PM2.5 and NO2) were associated with the risk of viral ARI hospitalization. The relative risk of viral infection increased with daily mean temperature but plateaued when temperature exceeded 23 °C, and increased when the relative humidity was < 70% and peaked at 50%. The effect of solar radiation was insignificant. Air pollutants (including PM10, PM2.5, NO2 and O3) showed strong and immediate effect on the incidence of viral infection. Conclusions The effects of mean temperature, relative humidity and air pollutants should be taken into account when considering management of ARI among children. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-022-07585-y.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Lei
- Department of Pediatrics, Kiang Wu Hospital, Macao, China
| | - Cheong Tat Lou
- Department of Pediatrics, Kiang Wu Hospital, Macao, China
| | - King Io
- Department of Pediatrics, Kiang Wu Hospital, Macao, China
| | - Kin Ian SiTou
- Department of Pediatrics, Kiang Wu Hospital, Macao, China
| | - Chong Pak Ip
- Department of Pediatrics, Kiang Wu Hospital, Macao, China
| | - HongJin U
- Department of Pediatrics, Kiang Wu Hospital, Macao, China
| | - Baoquan Pan
- Department of Pediatrics, Kiang Wu Hospital, Macao, China
| | - Carolina Oi Lam Ung
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Science, University of Macau, Macao, China. .,Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Zhang R, Lai KY, Liu W, Liu Y, Lu J, Tian L, Webster C, Luo L, Sarkar C. Community-level ambient fine particulate matter and seasonal influenza among children in Guangzhou, China: A Bayesian spatiotemporal analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 826:154135. [PMID: 35227720 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Influenza is a major preventable infectious respiratory disease. However, there is little detailed long-term evidence of its associations with PM2.5 among children. We examined the community-level associations between exposure to ambient PM2.5 and incident influenza in Guangzhou, China. METHODS We used data from the city-wide influenza surveillance system collected by Guangzhou Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (GZCDC) over the period 2013 and 2019. Incident influenza was defined as daily new influenza (both clinically diagnosed and laboratory confirmed) cases as per standard diagnostic criteria. A 200-meter city-wide grid of daily ambient PM2.5 exposure was generated using a random forest model. We developed spatiotemporal Bayesian hierarchical models to examine the community-level associations between PM2.5 and the influenza adjusting for meteorological and socioeconomic variables and accounting for spatial autocorrelation. We also calculated community-wide influenza cases attributable to PM2.5 levels exceeding the China Grade 1 and World Health Organization (WHO) regulatory thresholds. RESULTS Our study comprised N = 191,846 children from Guangzhou aged ≤19 years and diagnosed with influenza between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2019. Each 10 μg/m3 increment in community-level PM2.5 measured on the day of case confirmation (lag 0) and over a 6-day moving average (lag 0-5 days) was associated with higher risks of influenza (RR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.05-1.06 for lag 0 and RR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.14-1.16 for lag 05). We estimated that 8.10% (95%CI: 7.23%-8.57%) and 20.11% (95%CI: 17.64%-21.48%) influenza cases respectively were attributable to daily PM2.5 exposure exceeding the China Grade I (35 μg/m3) and the WHO limits (25 μg/m3). The risks associated with PM2.5 exposures were more pronounced among children of the age-group 10-14 compared to other age groups. CONCLUSIONS More targeted non-pharmaceutical interventions aimed at reducing PM2.5 exposures at home, school and during commutes among children may constitute additional influenza prevention and control polices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rong Zhang
- Healthy High Density Cities Lab, HKUrbanLab, The University of Hong Kong, Knowles Building, Pokfulam Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ka Yan Lai
- Healthy High Density Cities Lab, HKUrbanLab, The University of Hong Kong, Knowles Building, Pokfulam Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wenhui Liu
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanhui Liu
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianyun Lu
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Linwei Tian
- School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Patrick Mason Building, Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chris Webster
- Healthy High Density Cities Lab, HKUrbanLab, The University of Hong Kong, Knowles Building, Pokfulam Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lei Luo
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Chinmoy Sarkar
- Healthy High Density Cities Lab, HKUrbanLab, The University of Hong Kong, Knowles Building, Pokfulam Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Recent Insights into Particulate Matter (PM 2.5)-Mediated Toxicity in Humans: An Overview. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19127511. [PMID: 35742761 PMCID: PMC9223652 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19127511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Several epidemiologic and toxicological studies have commonly viewed ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5), defined as particles having an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 µm, as a significant potential danger to human health. PM2.5 is mostly absorbed through the respiratory system, where it can infiltrate the lung alveoli and reach the bloodstream. In the respiratory system, reactive oxygen or nitrogen species (ROS, RNS) and oxidative stress stimulate the generation of mediators of pulmonary inflammation and begin or promote numerous illnesses. According to the most recent data, fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, is responsible for nearly 4 million deaths globally from cardiopulmonary illnesses such as heart disease, respiratory infections, chronic lung disease, cancers, preterm births, and other illnesses. There has been increased worry in recent years about the negative impacts of this worldwide danger. The causal associations between PM2.5 and human health, the toxic effects and potential mechanisms of PM2.5, and molecular pathways have been described in this review.
Collapse
|
24
|
Tao Y, Zhang X, Qiu G, Spillmann M, Ji Z, Wang J. SARS-CoV-2 and other airborne respiratory viruses in outdoor aerosols in three Swiss cities before and during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 164:107266. [PMID: 35512527 PMCID: PMC9060371 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been affecting the world since the end of 2019. While virus-laden particles have been commonly detected and studied in the aerosol samples from indoor healthcare settings, studies are scarce on air surveillance of the virus in outdoor non-healthcare environments, including the correlations between SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses, between viruses and environmental factors, and between viruses and human behavior changes due to the public health measures against COVID-19. Therefore, in this study, we collected airborne particulate matter (PM) samples from November 2019 to April 2020 in Bern, Lugano, and Zurich. Among 14 detected viruses, influenza A, HCoV-NL63, HCoV-HKU1, and HCoV-229E were abundant in air. SARS-CoV-2 and enterovirus were moderately common, while the remaining viruses occurred only in low concentrations. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in PM10 (PM below 10 µm) samples of Bern and Zurich, and PM2.5 (PM below 2.5 µm) samples of Bern which exhibited a concentration positively correlated with the local COVID-19 case number. The concentration was also correlated with the concentration of enterovirus which raised the concern of coinfection. The estimated COVID-19 infection risks of an hour exposure at these two sites were generally low but still cannot be neglected. Our study demonstrated the potential functionality of outdoor air surveillance of airborne respiratory viruses, especially at transportation hubs and traffic arteries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yile Tao
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland; Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Xiaole Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland; Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Guangyu Qiu
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland; Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Martin Spillmann
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland; Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Zheng Ji
- School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland; Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Joung YH, Jang TS, Kim JK. Association among sentinel surveillance, meteorological factors, and infectious disease in Gwangju, Korea. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:17561-17569. [PMID: 34669138 PMCID: PMC8527811 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-17085-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of new infectious diseases is threatening human survival. Transmission of such diseases is determined by several factors, with climate being a very important factor. This study was conducted to assess the correlation between the occurrence of infectious diseases and climatic factors using data from the Sentinel Surveillance System and meteorological data from Gwangju, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea. The climate of Gwangju from June to September is humid, with this city having the highest average temperature, whereas that from December to February is cold and dry. Infection rates of Salmonella (temperature: r = 0.710**; relative humidity: r = 0.669**), E. coli (r = 0.617**; r = 0.626**), rotavirus (r = - 0.408**; r = - 0.618**), norovirus (r = - 0.463**; r = - 0.316**), influenza virus (r = - 0.726**; r = - 0.672**), coronavirus (r = - 0.684**; r = - 0.408**), and coxsackievirus (r = 0.654**; r = 0.548**) have been shown to have a high correlation with seasonal changes, specifically in these meteorological factors. Pathogens showing distinct seasonality in the occurrence of infection were observed, and there was a high correlation with the climate characteristics of Gwangju. In particular, viral diseases show strong seasonality, and further research on this matter is needed. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, quarantine and prevention have become important to block the spread of infectious diseases. For this purpose, studies that predict infectivity through various types of data related to infection are important.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- You Hyun Joung
- Department of Medical Laser, Dankook University Graduate School of Medicine, Cheonan-Si, Chungnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Su Jang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan-Si, Chungnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Kyung Kim
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Dankook University College of Health Sciences, 119, Dandae-ro, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan-si, Chungnam, 31116, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Forecasting the Potential Number of Influenza-like Illness Cases by Fusing Internet Public Opinion. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14052803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
As influenza viruses mutate rapidly, a prediction model for potential outbreaks of influenza-like illnesses helps detect the spread of the illnesses in real time. In order to create a better prediction model, in this study, in addition to using the traditional hydrological and atmospheric data, features, such as popular search keywords on Google Trends, public holiday information, population density, air quality indices, and the numbers of COVID-19 confirmed cases, were also used to train the model in this research. Furthermore, Random Forest and XGBoost were combined and used in the proposed prediction model to increase the prediction accuracy. The training data used in this research were the historical data taken from 2016 to 2021. In our experiments, different combinations of features were tested. The results show that features, such as popular search keywords on Google Trends, the numbers of COVID-19 confirmed cases, and air quality indices can improve the outcome of the prediction model. The evaluation results showed that the error rate between the predicted results and the actual number of influenza-like cases form Week 15 to Week 18 fell to less than 5%. The outbreak of COVID-19 in Taiwan began in Week 19 and resulted in a sharp rise in the number of clinic or hospital visits by patients of influenza-like illnesses. After that, from Week 21 to Week 26, the error rate between the predicted and actual numbers of influenza-like cases in the later period dropped down to 13%. It can be confirmed from the actual experimental results in this research that the use of the ensemble learning prediction model proposed in this research can accurately predict the trend of influenza-like cases.
Collapse
|
27
|
Yu T, Zhou L, Xu J, Kan H, Chen R, Chen S, Hua H, Liu Z, Yan C. Effects of prenatal exposures to air sulfur dioxide/nitrogen dioxide on toddler neurodevelopment and effect modification by ambient temperature. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 230:113118. [PMID: 34979314 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.113118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests that prenatal exposure to ambient SO2 or NO2 induces fetal brain-damage. However, effects of prenatal exposure to SO2 or NO2 on toddler neurodevelopment and the effect-modification by ambient temperature remain unclear. Therefore, a prospective birth-cohort study was conducted from 2010 to 2012 in Shanghai, and 225 mother-child pairs were followed-up from mid-to-late pregnancy until 24-36 months postpartum. During the whole pregnancy, daily SO2/NO2 and temperature levels were obtained for each woman. Gesell-Development-Schedule was used to assess toddler neurodevelopment in the domains of gross-motor, fine-motor, adaptive-behavior, language and social-behavior. Distributed-lag-nonlinear-models simultaneously accounting for exposure-response and lag-response associations were applied to assess the impacts of prenatal SO2/NO2 exposure on neurodevelopment. Each 10-μg/m3 increase in weekly average SO2 concentrations had adverse associations with gross-motor in gestational-weeks 1-6, with adaptive-behavior in weeks 26-30, and with language in weeks 30-36 (developmental-quotient changes: - 1.17% to - 0.12%, P-values < 0.05). Each 10-μg/m3 increase in weekly average NO2 concentrations had adverse associations with gross-motor in gestational-weeks 33-36, with fine-motor in weeks 26-36 and with social-behavior in weeks 31-36 (developmental-quotient changes: - 0.91% to - 0.20%, P-values < 0.05). The cumulative effects for the whole pregnancy showed that each 10-μg/m3 increase in SO2 induced significant deficits in gross-motor and adaptive-behavior (developmental-quotient changes: - 4.71% and - 4.06%, respectively, P < 0.05). We found prenatal cumulative SO2 exposure induced more deficits in low temperature in language and adaptive-behavior than in high/moderate temperature. Thus, prenatal ambient SO2/NO2 exposure in specific time-windows (1st and 3rd trimesters for SO2; 3rd trimester for NO2) could impair toddler neurodevelopment and low temperature may aggravate the SO2-induced neurotoxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ting Yu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, The International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Leilei Zhou
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Healthcare, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092 China
| | - Jian Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, The International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China.
| | - Haidong Kan
- School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of the Ministry of Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032 China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP3), Fudan University, Shanghai 200032 China
| | - Renjie Chen
- School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of the Ministry of Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032 China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP3), Fudan University, Shanghai 200032 China
| | - Shuwen Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, The International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Hui Hua
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, The International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Zhiwei Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, The International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Chonghuai Yan
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Healthcare, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092 China
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Ma P, Tang X, Zhang L, Wang X, Wang W, Zhang X, Wang S, Zhou N. Influenza A and B outbreaks differed in their associations with climate conditions in Shenzhen, China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2022; 66:163-173. [PMID: 34693474 PMCID: PMC8542503 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-021-02204-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Under the variant climate conditions in the transitional regions between tropics and subtropics, the impacts of climate factors on influenza subtypes have rarely been evaluated. With the available influenza A (Flu-A) and influenza B (Flu-B) outbreak data in Shenzhen, China, which is an excellent example of a transitional marine climate, the associations of multiple climate variables with these outbreaks were explored in this study. Daily laboratory-confirmed influenza virus and climate data were collected from 2009 to 2015. Potential impacts of daily mean/maximum/minimum temperatures (T/Tmax/Tmin), relative humidity (RH), wind velocity (V), and diurnal temperature range (DTR) were analyzed using the distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) and generalized additive model (GAM). Under its local climate partitions, Flu-A mainly prevailed in summer months (May to June), and a second peak appeared in early winter (December to January). Flu-B outbreaks usually occurred in transitional seasons, especially in autumn. Although low temperature caused an instant increase in both Flu-A and Flu-B risks, its effect could persist for up to 10 days for Flu-B and peak at 17 C (relative risk (RR) = 14.16, 95% CI: 7.46-26.88). For both subtypes, moderate-high temperature (28 C) had a significant but delayed effect on influenza, especially for Flu-A (RR = 26.20, 95% CI: 13.22-51.20). The Flu-A virus was sensitive to RH higher than 76%, while higher Flu-B risks were observed at both low (< 65%) and high (> 83%) humidity. Flu-A was active for a short term after exposure to large DTR (e.g., DTR = 10 C, RR = 12.45, 95% CI: 6.50-23.87), whereas Flu-B mainly circulated under stable temperatures. Although the overall wind speed in Shenzhen was low, moderate wind (2-3 m/s) was found to favor the outbreaks of both subtypes. This study revealed the thresholds of various climatic variables promoting influenza outbreaks, as well as the distinctions between the flu subtypes. These data can be helpful in predicting seasonal influenza outbreaks and minimizing the impacts, based on integrated forecast systems coupled with short-term climate models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pan Ma
- Plateau Atmosphere and Environment Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Atmospheric Science, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu, 610225, Sichuan, China.
| | - Xiaoxin Tang
- Shenzhen National Climate Observatory, Shenzhen Meteorological Bureau, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Shenzhen National Climate Observatory, Shenzhen Meteorological Bureau, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Xinzi Wang
- Plateau Atmosphere and Environment Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Atmospheric Science, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu, 610225, Sichuan, China
| | - Weimin Wang
- Shangluo Meteorological Bureau, Shangluo, 726000, Shanxi, China
| | - Xiaoling Zhang
- Plateau Atmosphere and Environment Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Atmospheric Science, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu, 610225, Sichuan, China
| | - Shigong Wang
- Plateau Atmosphere and Environment Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Atmospheric Science, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu, 610225, Sichuan, China
| | - Ning Zhou
- The First Hospital of Lanzhou, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, China
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Guo C, Chan SHT, Lin C, Zeng Y, Bo Y, Zhang Y, Hossain S, Chan JWM, Yeung DW, Lau AKH, Lao XQ. Physical distancing implementation, ambient temperature and Covid-19 containment: An observational study in the United States. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 789:147876. [PMID: 34051508 PMCID: PMC8139329 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Governments may relax physical distancing interventions for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) containment in warm seasons/areas to prevent economic contractions. However, it is not clear whether higher temperature may offset the transmission risk posed by this relaxation. This study aims to investigate the associations of the effective reproductive number (Rt) of Covid-19 with ambient temperature and the implementation of physical distancing interventions in the United States (US). This study included 50 states and one territory of the US with 4,532,650 confirmed cases between 29 January and 31 July 2020. We used an interrupted time-series model with a state-level random intercept for data analysis. An interaction term of 'physical distancing×temperature' was included to examine their interactions. Stratified analyses by temperature and physical distancing implementation were also performed to analyse the modifying effects. The overall median (interquartile range) Rt was 1.2 (1.0-2.3). The implementation of physical distancing was associated with a 12% decrease in the risk of Rt (relative risk [RR]: 0.88, 95% confident interval [CI]: 0.86-0.89), and each 5 °C increase in temperature was associated with a 2% decrease (RR: 0.98, 95%CI: 0.97-0.98). We observed a statistically significant interaction between temperature and physical distancing implementation, but all the RRs were small (close to one). The containing effects of high temperature were attenuated by 5.1% when physical distancing was implemented. The association of COVID-19 Rt with physical distancing implementation was more stable (0.88 vs. 0.89 in days when temperature was low and high, respectively). Increased temperature did not offset the risk of Covid-19 Rt posed by the relaxation of physical distancing implementation. Our study does not recommend relaxing the implementation of physical distancing interventions in warm seasons/areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cui Guo
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, China
| | - Shin Heng Teresa Chan
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, China
| | - Changqing Lin
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yiqian Zeng
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, China
| | - Yacong Bo
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, China
| | - Yumiao Zhang
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shakhaoat Hossain
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jimmy W M Chan
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - David W Yeung
- Institute for the Environment, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Alexis K H Lau
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Xiang Qian Lao
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Loaiza-Ceballos MC, Marin-Palma D, Zapata W, Hernandez JC. Viral respiratory infections and air pollutants. AIR QUALITY, ATMOSPHERE, & HEALTH 2021; 15:105-114. [PMID: 34539932 PMCID: PMC8441953 DOI: 10.1007/s11869-021-01088-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution is a public health issue of global importance and a risk factor for developing cardiorespiratory diseases. These contaminants induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8, triggering the inflammatory response that alters cell and tissue homeostasis and facilitates the development of diseases. The effects of air pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5, and PM0.1), and indoor air pollutants on respiratory health have been widely reported. For instance, epidemiological and experimental studies have shown associations between hospital admissions for individual diseases and increased air pollutant levels. This review describes the association and relationships between exposure to air pollutants and respiratory viral infections, especially those caused by the respiratory syncytial virus and influenza virus. The evidence suggests that exposure to air contaminants induces inflammatory states, modulates the immune system, and increases molecules' expression that favors respiratory viruses' pathogenesis and affects the respiratory system. However, the mechanisms underlying these interactions have not yet been fully elucidated, so it is necessary to develop new studies to obtain information that will allow health and policy decisions to be made for the adequate control of respiratory infections, especially in the most vulnerable population, during periods of maximum air pollution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Damariz Marin-Palma
- Infettare, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Medellin, Colombia
- Grupo Inmunovirologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, UdeA, Medellin, Colombia
| | - Wildeman Zapata
- Infettare, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Medellin, Colombia
- Grupo Inmunovirologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, UdeA, Medellin, Colombia
| | - Juan C. Hernandez
- Infettare, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Medellin, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Ma Y, Cheng B, Shen J, Wang H, Feng F, Zhang Y, Jiao H. Association between environmental factors and COVID-19 in Shanghai, China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:45087-45095. [PMID: 33856634 PMCID: PMC8047551 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-13834-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to spread worldwide and has led to recession, rising unemployment, and the collapse of the health-care system. The aim of this study was to explore the exposure-response relationship between daily confirmed COVID-19 cases and environmental factors. We used a time-series generalized additive model (GAM) to investigate the short-term association between COVID-19 and environmental factors by using daily meteorological elements, air pollutant concentration, and daily confirmed COVID-19 cases from January 21, 2020, to February 29, 2020, in Shanghai, China. We observed significant negative associations between daily confirmed COVID-19 cases and mean temperature (Tave), temperature humidity index (THI), and index of wind effect (K), whereas air quality index (AQI), PM2.5, PM10 NO2, and SO2 were significantly associated with the increase in daily confirmed COVID-19 cases. A 1 °C increase in Tave, one-unit increase in THI, and 10-unit increase in K (lag 0-7 days) were associated with 4.7, 1.8, and 1.6% decrease in daily confirmed cases, respectively. Daily Tave, THI, K, PM10, and SO2 had significant lag and persistence (lag 0-7 days), whereas the lag and persistence of AQI, PM2.5, and NO2 were significant at both lag 0-7 and 0-14 days. A 10-μg/m3 increase in PM10 and 1-μg/m3 increase in SO2 was associated with 13.9 and 5.7% increase in daily confirmed cases at lag 0-7 days, respectively, whereas a 10-unit increase in AQI and a 10-μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 and NO2 were associated with 7.9, 7.8, and 10.1% increase in daily confirmed cases at lag 0-14 days, respectively. Our findings have important implications for public health in the city of Shanghai.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuxia Ma
- College of Atmospheric Sciences, Key Laboratory of Semi-Arid Climate Change, Ministry of Education, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
| | - Bowen Cheng
- College of Atmospheric Sciences, Key Laboratory of Semi-Arid Climate Change, Ministry of Education, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Jiahui Shen
- College of Atmospheric Sciences, Key Laboratory of Semi-Arid Climate Change, Ministry of Education, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Hang Wang
- College of Atmospheric Sciences, Key Laboratory of Semi-Arid Climate Change, Ministry of Education, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Fengliu Feng
- College of Atmospheric Sciences, Key Laboratory of Semi-Arid Climate Change, Ministry of Education, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Yifan Zhang
- College of Atmospheric Sciences, Key Laboratory of Semi-Arid Climate Change, Ministry of Education, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Haoran Jiao
- College of Atmospheric Sciences, Key Laboratory of Semi-Arid Climate Change, Ministry of Education, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Sahoo MM. Significance between air pollutants, meteorological factors, and COVID-19 infections: probable evidences in India. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:40474-40495. [PMID: 33638789 PMCID: PMC7912974 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-12709-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) disease represents the causative agent with a potentially fatal risk which is having great global human health concern. Earlier studies suggested that air pollutants and meteorological factors were considered as the risk factors for acute respiratory infection, which carries harmful pathogens and affects the immunity. The study intended to explore the correlation between air pollutants, meteorological factors, and the daily reported infected cases caused by novel coronavirus in India. The daily positive infected cases, concentrations of air pollutants, and meteorological factors in 288 districts were collected from January 30, 2020, to April 23, 2020, in India. Spearman's correlation and generalized additive model (GAM) were applied to investigate the correlations of four air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and SO2) and eight meteorological factors (Temp, DTR, RH, AH, AP, RF, WS, and WD) with COVID-19-infected cases. The study indicated that a 10 μg/m3 increase during (Lag0-14) in PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 resulted in 2.21% (95%CI: 1.13 to 3.29), 2.67% (95% CI: 0.33 to 5.01), and 4.56 (95% CI: 2.22 to 6.90) increase in daily counts of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID 19)-infected cases respectively. However, only 1 unit increase in meteorological factor levels in case of daily mean temperature and DTR during (Lag0-14) associated with 3.78% (95%CI: 1.81 to 5.75) and 1.82% (95% CI: -1.74 to 5.38) rise of COVID-19-infected cases respectively. In addition, SO2 and relative humidity were negatively associated with COVID-19-infected cases at Lag0-14 with decrease of 7.23% (95% CI: -10.99 to -3.47) and 1.11% (95% CI: -3.45 to 1.23) for SO2 and for relative humidity respectively. The study recommended that there are significant correlations between air pollutants and meteorological factors with COVID-19-infected cases, which substantially explain the effect of national lockdown and suggested positive implications for control and prevention of the spread of SARS-CoV-2 disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mrunmayee Manjari Sahoo
- Domain of Environmental and Water Resources Engg, SCE, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, 144411, India.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Wu Q, He J, Zhang WY, Zhao KF, Jin J, Yu JL, Chen QQ, Hou S, Zhu M, Xu Z, Pan HF. The contrasting relationships of relative humidity with influenza A and B in a humid subtropical region. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:36828-36836. [PMID: 33710490 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-13107-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Influenza is an acute respiratory disease that seriously threatens public health. The occurrence of influenza has been proved to be related to a variety of meteorological factors. However, less attention has been paid to the effect of relative humidity (RH) on different types of influenza, especially in subtropical regions. Daily data on laboratory-confirmed influenza cases, weather variables, and air pollutants in Hefei covering the 2014-2019 period were collected. The seasonality and trend of daily influenza cases were explored by the time series seasonal decomposition method. Generalized linear model was fitted in conjunction with distributed lag nonlinear model to quantify the associations of RH with influenza A and influenza B. Subgroup analyses were conducted by sex, age (0-4, 5-17, and ≥18 years), and season (cold and warm seasons). A total of 5238 influenza cases including 2847 influenza A cases and 2391 influenza B cases were recorded. The epidemic of influenza presented a distinct seasonal pattern, and the number of daily influenza cases increased steadily since 2016. High RH was related to an increased risk of influenza A (maximum RR = 1.683, 95%CI: 1.365-2.076), especially among males, females, and school-age children. Low RH was associated with an increased risk of influenza B (maximum RR = 1.252, 95%CI: 1.169-1.340). The contrasting relationships of RH with influenza A and B remained significant in cold seasons. High RH and low RH were significantly associated with the increased risk of influenza A and B, respectively. The findings of our study may provide clues for proposing new effective interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qian Wu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jun He
- Anhui Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 12560, Fanhua Avenue, Hefei, China
- Key Laboratory for Medical and Health of the 13th Five-Year Plan, 12560, Fanhua Avenue, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Wen-Yan Zhang
- Hefei Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Anhui, China
| | - Ke-Fu Zhao
- Hefei Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Anhui, China
| | - Jing Jin
- Hefei Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Anhui, China
| | - Jun-Ling Yu
- Anhui Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 12560, Fanhua Avenue, Hefei, China
- Key Laboratory for Medical and Health of the 13th Five-Year Plan, 12560, Fanhua Avenue, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Qing-Qing Chen
- Anhui Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 12560, Fanhua Avenue, Hefei, China
- Key Laboratory for Medical and Health of the 13th Five-Year Plan, 12560, Fanhua Avenue, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Sai Hou
- Anhui Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 12560, Fanhua Avenue, Hefei, China
| | - Meng Zhu
- Anhui Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 12560, Fanhua Avenue, Hefei, China
| | - Zhiwei Xu
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Hai-Feng Pan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Lau SY, Cheng W, Yu Z, Mohammad KN, Wang MH, Zee BC, Li X, Chong KC, Chen E. Independent association between meteorological factors, PM2.5, and seasonal influenza activity in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China. Influenza Other Respir Viruses 2021; 15:513-520. [PMID: 33342077 PMCID: PMC8189232 DOI: 10.1111/irv.12829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to variations in climatic conditions, the effects of meteorological factors and PM2.5 on influenza activity, particularly in subtropical regions, vary in existing literature. In this study, we examined the relationship between influenza activity, meteorological parameters, and PM2.5 . METHODS A total of 20 165 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, were documented in our dataset and aggregated into weekly counts for downstream analysis. We employed a combination of the quasi-Poisson-generalized additive model and the distributed lag non-linear model to examine the relationship of interest, controlling for long-term trends, seasonal trends, and holidays. RESULTS A hockey-stick association was found between absolute humidity and the risk of influenza infections. The overall cumulative adjusted relative risk (ARR) was statistically significant when weekly mean absolute humidity was low (<10 µg/m3 ) and high (>17.5 µg/m3 ). A slightly higher ARR was observed when weekly mean temperature reached over 30.5°C. A statistically significantly higher ARR was observed when weekly mean relative humidity dropped below 67%. ARR increased statistically significantly with increasing rainfall. For PM2.5 , the ARR was marginally statistically insignificant. In brief, high temperature, wet and dry conditions, and heavy rainfall were the major risk factors associated with a higher risk of influenza infections. CONCLUSIONS The present study contributes additional knowledge to the understanding of the effects of various environmental factors on influenza activities. Our findings shall be useful and important for the development of influenza surveillance and early warning systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steven Yuk‐Fai Lau
- School of Public Health and Primary CareThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | - Wei Cheng
- Zhejiang Province Centre for Disease Control and PreventionHangzhouChina
| | - Zhao Yu
- Zhejiang Province Centre for Disease Control and PreventionHangzhouChina
| | - Kirran N. Mohammad
- School of Public Health and Primary CareThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | - Maggie Haitian Wang
- School of Public Health and Primary CareThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongChina
- Clinical Trials and Biostatistics LaboratoryShenzhen Research InstituteThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | - Benny Chung‐Ying Zee
- School of Public Health and Primary CareThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongChina
- Clinical Trials and Biostatistics LaboratoryShenzhen Research InstituteThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | - Xi Li
- School of Public Health and Primary CareThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | - Ka Chun Chong
- School of Public Health and Primary CareThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongChina
- Clinical Trials and Biostatistics LaboratoryShenzhen Research InstituteThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongChina
- Centre for Health Systems and Policy ResearchThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | - Enfu Chen
- Zhejiang Province Centre for Disease Control and PreventionHangzhouChina
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Ngo HKT, Luong LMT, Le HHTC, Dang TN, Le Pham A, Phung D, Thai PK. Impact of temperature on hospital admission for acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) among pre-school children in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2021; 65:1205-1214. [PMID: 33751218 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-021-02104-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Changes in ambient temperature have been reported as an important risk factor for respiratory diseases among pre-school children. However, there have been few studies so far on the effects of temperature on children respiratory health in developing countries including Vietnam. This study examined the impact of short-term changes in ambient temperature on hospital admissions for acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) among children aged less than 5 years old in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam. Data on daily hospital admissions from 2013 to 2017 were collected from two large paediatric hospitals of the city. Daily meteorological data of the same period were also collected. Time series analysis was performed to evaluate the association between risk of hospitalisations and temperatures categorised by seasons, age, and causes. We found that a 1 °C increase in maximum temperature was associated with 4.2 and 3.4% increase in hospital admission for ALRI among children 3-5 years old during the dry season and the rainy season, respectively. Surprisingly, in the rainy season, a rise of 1°C diurnal temperature range (DTR) was significantly associated with a decrease from 2.0 to 2.5% risk of hospitalisation for ALRI among children <3 years old. These findings suggested that although high temperature is a risk factor for hospital admissions among children in general, other modifiable factors such as age, exposure time, air conditioning usage, wearing protective clothing, socioeconomic status, and behaviour may influence the overall effect of high temperature on hospital admissions of children <5 years old in HCMC. The findings of this study have provided evidence for building public health policies aimed at preventing and minimizing the adverse health effects of temperature on children in HCMC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hieu K T Ngo
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
| | - Ly M T Luong
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, VNU University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Hong H T C Le
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Tran Ngoc Dang
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
| | - An Le Pham
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
| | - Dung Phung
- Centre for Environment and Population Health, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Phong K Thai
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4102, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Lu J, Yang Z, Karawita AC, Bunte M, Chew KY, Pegg C, Mackay I, Whiley D, Short KR. Limited evidence for the role of environmental factors in the unusual peak of influenza in Brisbane during the 2018-2019 Australian summer. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 776:145967. [PMID: 33640553 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the contribution of environmental factors in the unusual pattern of influenza activity observed in Brisbane, Australia during the summer of 2018-2019. METHODS Distributed lag nonlinear models (DLNMs) were used to estimate the effect of environmental factors on weekly influenza incidence in Brisbane. Next generation sequencing was then employed to analyze minor and majority variants in influenza strains isolated from Brisbane children during this period. RESULTS There were limited marked differences in the environmental factors observed in Brisbane between the 2018-2019 summer period and the same period of the proceeding years, with the exception of significant reduction in rainfall. DLNM showed that reduced rainfall in Brisbane (at levels consistent with the 2018-2019 period) correlated with a dramatic increase in the relative risk of influenza. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) levels were also increased in the 2018-2019 period, although these levels did not correlate with an increased risk of influenza. Sequencing of a limited number of pediatric influenza virus strains isolated during the 2018-2019 showed numerous mutations within the viral HA. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these data suggest a limited role for key environmental factors in the influenza activity observed in Brisbane, Australia during the summer of 2018-2019. One alternative explanation may that viral factors, in addition to other factors not studied herein, contributed to the unusual influenza season. Our findings provide fundamental information that may be beneficial to a better understanding of the seasonal trends of influenza virus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianyun Lu
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510440, China; School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Zhicong Yang
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510440, China
| | - Anjana C Karawita
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Myrna Bunte
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Keng Yih Chew
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Cassandra Pegg
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Ian Mackay
- Public Health Virology Laboratory, Forensic and Scientific Services, Coopers Plains, Queensland, Australia; Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - David Whiley
- The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Australia and Pathology Queensland Central Laboratory, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kirsty R Short
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Walter CM, Schneider-Futschik EK, Hall NL, Sly PD, Head BW, Knibbs LD. The health impacts of ambient air pollution in Australia: A systematic literature review. Intern Med J 2021; 51:1567-1579. [PMID: 34105222 DOI: 10.1111/imj.15415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ambient (outdoor) air pollution is a key risk factor for health, for which effective policy plays an important preventative role. Australian federal and related state air quality standards have historically relied on international evidence for guidance, which may not accurately reflect the Australian context. There has been, however, a large increase in Australian epidemiological studies over recent years. AIMS To provide an updated systematic literature review of peer-reviewed epidemiological studies that examined the health impacts of outdoor air pollution in Australia, including short- and long-term exposure. METHODS Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic literature review. Broad search terms were applied to two databases (PubMed and Web of Science) and Google Scholar. Quality assessment and risk of bias were assessed using standard metrics. Included studies were summarised by tabulating key study characteristics, grouped by health outcomes. RESULTS In total, 72 studies were included in the review. Sixty-four studies (89%) used daily or hourly pollutant concentrations to examine short-term exposure impacts, of which 59 (92%) revealed significant associations with one or more health outcomes, including cardio-respiratory, all-cause mortality or morbidity, and birth outcomes. Eight studies (11%) used annual average pollutant concentrations to investigate long-term exposure finding significant associations with asthma, reduced lung function, atopy and cardio-respiratory mortality across five studies. The remaining three studies found no significant association with asthma, mortality and a range of self-reported diseases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Ambient air pollution has substantial health impacts in Australia. The body of domestic evidence has increased markedly since national air quality standards were first set in the 1990s, which could be drawn on by policy-makers when revising the existing standards, or considering new standards. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clare M Walter
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Australian-German Climate and Energy College, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elena K Schneider-Futschik
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nina L Hall
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Peter D Sly
- Children's Health and Environment Program, Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - Brian W Head
- School of Political Science and Centre for Policy Futures, The University of Queensland
| | - Luke D Knibbs
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Li X, Xu J, Wang W, Liang JJ, Deng ZH, Du J, Xie MZ, Wang XR, Liu Y, Cui F, Lu QB. Air pollutants and outpatient visits for influenza-like illness in Beijing, China. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11397. [PMID: 34141466 PMCID: PMC8179240 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Air pollution leads to many adverse health conditions, mainly manifested by respiratory or cardiac symptoms. Previous studies are limited as to whether air pollutants were associated to influenza-like illness (ILI). This study aimed to explore the association between air pollutants and outpatient visits for ILI, especially during an outbreak of influenza. Methods Daily counts of hospital visits for ILI were obtained from Peking University Third Hospital between January 1, 2015, and March 31, 2018. A generalized additive Poisson model was applied to examine the associations between air pollutants concentrations and daily outpatient visits for ILI when adjusted for the meteorological parameters. Results There were 35862 outpatient visits at the fever clinic for ILI cases. Air quality index (AQI), PM2.5, PM10, CO and O3 on lag0 days, as well as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) on lag1 days, were significantly associated with an increased risk of outpatient visits for ILI from January 2015 to November 2017. From December 2017 to March 2018, on lag0 days, air pollutants PM2.5 [risk ratio (RR) = 0.971, 95% CI: 0.963-0.979], SO2 (RR = 0.892, 95% CI: 0.840–0.948) and CO (RR = 0.306, 95% CI: 0.153–0.612) were significantly associated with a decreased risk of outpatient visits for ILI. Interestingly, on the lag2 days, all the pollutants were significantly associated with a reduced risk of outpatient visits for ILI except for O3. We did not observe the linear correlations between the outpatient visits for ILI and any of air pollutants, which were instead associated via a curvilinear relationship. Conclusions We found that the air pollutants may be associated with an increased risk of outpatient visits for ILI during the non-outbreak period and with a decreased risk during the outbreak period, which may be linked with the use of disposable face masks and the change of outdoor activities. These findings expand the current knowledge of ILI outpatient visits correlated with air pollutants during an influenza pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoguang Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jing-Jin Liang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhong-Hua Deng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Juan Du
- Department of Laboratorial of Science and Technology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ming-Zhu Xie
- Department of Laboratorial of Science and Technology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xin-Rui Wang
- Department of Laboratorial of Science and Technology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yaqiong Liu
- Department of Laboratorial of Science and Technology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Fuqiang Cui
- Department of Laboratorial of Science and Technology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Qing-Bin Lu
- Department of Laboratorial of Science and Technology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Zhou J, Qin L, Meng X, Liu N. The interactive effects of ambient air pollutants-meteorological factors on confirmed cases of COVID-19 in 120 Chinese cities. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:27056-27066. [PMID: 33501581 PMCID: PMC7837878 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-12648-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Emerging evidence has confirmed meteorological factors and air pollutants affect novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, no studies to date have considered the impact of interactions between meteorological factors and air pollutants on COVID-19 transmission. This study explores the association between ambient air pollutants (PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, and O3), meteorological factors (average temperature, diurnal temperature range, relative humidity, wind velocity, air pressure, precipitation, and hours of sunshine), and their interaction on confirmed case counts of COVID-19 in 120 Chinese cities. We modeled total confirmed cases of COVID-19 as the dependent variable with meteorological factors, air pollutants, and their interactions as the independent variables. To account for potential migration effects, we included the migration scale index (MSI) from Wuhan to each of the 120 cities included in the model, using data from 15 Jan. to 18 Mar. 2020. As an important confounding factor, MSI was considered in a negative binomial regression analysis. Positive associations were found between the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 and CO, PM2.5, relative humidity, and O3, with and without MSI-adjustment. Negative associations were also found for SO2 and wind velocity both with and without controlling for population migration. In addition, air pollutants and meteorological factors had interactive effects on COVID-19 after controlling for MSI. In conclusion, air pollutants, meteorological factors, and their interactions all affect COVID-19 cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianli Zhou
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China
| | - Linyuan Qin
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541001, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojing Meng
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China.
| | - Nan Liu
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China.
- Pinghu Hospital, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518116, People's Republic of China.
- Institute of Public Health, School of Nursing, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, People's Republic of China.
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 540001, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Lindner-Cendrowska K, Bröde P. Impact of biometeorological conditions and air pollution on influenza-like illnesses incidence in Warsaw. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2021; 65:929-944. [PMID: 33454853 PMCID: PMC8149351 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-021-02076-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
In order to assess the influence of atmospheric conditions and particulate matter (PM) on the seasonally varying incidence of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) in the capital of Poland-Warsaw, we analysed time series of ILI reported for the about 1.75 million residents in total and for different age groups in 288 approximately weekly periods, covering 6 years 2013-2018. Using Poisson regression, we predicted ILI by the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) as biometeorological indicator, and by PM2.5 and PM10, respectively, as air quality measures accounting for lagged effects spanning up to 3 weeks. Excess ILI incidence after adjusting for seasonal and annual trends was calculated by fitting generalized additive models. ILI morbidity increased with rising PM concentrations, for both PM2.5 and PM10, and with cooler atmospheric conditions as indicated by decreasing UTCI. While the PM effect focused on the actual reporting period, the atmospheric influence exhibited a more evenly distributed lagged effect pattern over the considered 3-week period. Though ILI incidence adjusted for population size significantly declined with age, age did not significantly modify the effect sizes of both PM and UTCI. These findings contribute to better understanding environmental conditionings of influenza seasonality in a temperate climate. This will be beneficial to forecasting future dynamics of ILI and to planning clinical and public health resources under climate change scenarios.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Lindner-Cendrowska
- Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Peter Bröde
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at TU Dortmund (IfADo), Dortmund, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Zhang R, Meng Y, Song H, Niu R, Wang Y, Li Y, Wang S. The modification effect of temperature on the relationship between air pollutants and daily incidence of influenza in Ningbo, China. Respir Res 2021; 22:153. [PMID: 34016093 PMCID: PMC8138986 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-021-01744-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although exposure to air pollution has been linked to many health issues, few studies have quantified the modification effect of temperature on the relationship between air pollutants and daily incidence of influenza in Ningbo, China. Methods The data of daily incidence of influenza and the relevant meteorological data and air pollution data in Ningbo from 2014 to 2017 were retrieved. Low, medium and high temperature layers were stratified by the daily mean temperature with 25th and 75th percentiles. The potential modification effect of temperature on the relationship between air pollutants and daily incidence of influenza in Ningbo was investigated through analyzing the effects of air pollutants stratified by temperature stratum using distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM). Stratified analysis by sex and age were also conducted. Results Overall, a 10 μg/m3 increment of O3, PM2.5, PM10 and NO2 could increase the incidence risk of influenza with the cumulative relative risk of 1.028 (95% CI 1.007, 1.050), 1.061 (95% CI 1.004, 1.122), 1.043 (95% CI 1.003, 1.085), and 1.118 (95% CI 1.028, 1.216), respectively. Male and aged 7–17 years were more sensitive to air pollutants. Through the temperature stratification analysis, we found that temperature could modify the impacts of air pollution on daily incidence of influenza with high temperature exacerbating the impact of air pollutants. At high temperature layer, male and the groups aged 0–6 years and 18–64 years were more sensitive to air pollution. Conclusion Temperature modified the relationship between air pollution and daily incidence of influenza and high temperature would exacerbate the effects of air pollutants in Ningbo. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12931-021-01744-6.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhang
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Yujie Meng
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Hejia Song
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No 7. Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Ran Niu
- National Institute for Nutrition and Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yu Wang
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No 7. Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Yonghong Li
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No 7. Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China.
| | - Songwang Wang
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, China.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Cumulative Effects of Particulate Matter Pollution and Meteorological Variables on the Risk of Influenza-Like Illness. Viruses 2021; 13:v13040556. [PMID: 33810283 PMCID: PMC8065612 DOI: 10.3390/v13040556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The cold season is usually accompanied by an increased incidence of respiratory infections and increased air pollution from combustion sources. As we are facing growing numbers of COVID-19 cases caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, an understanding of the impact of air pollutants and meteorological variables on the incidence of respiratory infections is crucial. The incidence of influenza-like illness (ILI) can be used as a close proxy for the circulation of influenza viruses. Recently, SARS-CoV-2 has also been detected in patients with ILI. Using distributed lag nonlinear models, we analyzed the association between ILI, meteorological variables and particulate matter concentration in Bialystok, Poland, from 2013–2019. We found an exponential relationship between cumulative PM2.5 pollution and the incidence of ILI, which remained significant after adjusting for air temperatures and a long-term trend. Pollution had the greatest effect during the same week, but the risk of ILI was increased for the four following weeks. The risk of ILI was also increased by low air temperatures, low absolute humidity, and high wind speed. Altogether, our results show that all measures implemented to decrease PM2.5 concentrations would be beneficial to reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory infections.
Collapse
|
43
|
Woodby B, Arnold MM, Valacchi G. SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 pathogenesis, and exposure to air pollution: What is the connection? Ann N Y Acad Sci 2021; 1486:15-38. [PMID: 33022781 PMCID: PMC7675684 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to air pollutants has been previously associated with respiratory viral infections, including influenza, measles, mumps, rhinovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus. Epidemiological studies have also suggested that air pollution exposure is associated with increased cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19-associated mortality, although the molecular mechanisms by which pollutant exposure affects viral infection and pathogenesis of COVID-19 remain unknown. In this review, we suggest potential molecular mechanisms that could account for this association. We have focused on the potential effect of exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ), ozone (O3 ), and particulate matter (PM) since there are studies investigating how exposure to these pollutants affects the life cycle of other viruses. We have concluded that pollutant exposure may affect different stages of the viral life cycle, including inhibition of mucociliary clearance, alteration of viral receptors and proteases required for entry, changes to antiviral interferon production and viral replication, changes in viral assembly mediated by autophagy, prevention of uptake by macrophages, and promotion of viral spread by increasing epithelial permeability. We believe that exposure to pollutants skews adaptive immune responses toward bacterial/allergic immune responses, as opposed to antiviral responses. Exposure to air pollutants could also predispose exposed populations toward developing COIVD-19-associated immunopathology, enhancing virus-induced tissue inflammation and damage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brittany Woodby
- Animal Science DepartmentPlants for Human Health Institute, N.C. Research Campus, North Carolina State UniversityKannapolisNorth Carolina
| | - Michelle M. Arnold
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyCenter for Molecular and Tumor VirologyLouisiana State University Health Sciences CenterShreveportLouisiana
| | - Giuseppe Valacchi
- Animal Science DepartmentPlants for Human Health Institute, N.C. Research Campus, North Carolina State UniversityKannapolisNorth Carolina
- Department of Life Sciences and BiotechnologyUniversity of FerraraFerraraItaly
- Department of Food and NutritionKyung Hee UniversitySeoulSouth Korea
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Meng Y, Lu Y, Xiang H, Liu S. Short-term effects of ambient air pollution on the incidence of influenza in Wuhan, China: A time-series analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 192:110327. [PMID: 33075359 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence suggests that air pollution is associated with many adverse health outcomes such as cardiovascular diseases (CVD), respiratory diseases, cancer, and birth defects. Yet few studies dig into the relationship between air pollution and airborne infectious diseases. METHODS Daily data on influenza incidence were obtained from Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Hubei CDC). Data on air pollutants including nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ground-level ozone (O3), particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5), and PM with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 μm (PM10) were retrieved from ten national air sampling stations located at Wuhan. We applied generalized additive model (GAM) to estimate the associations between air pollution and the risk of influenza in Wuhan, China during 2015-2017. RESULTS In the single-day lag model, the largest effect estimates were observed at lag 0. An increased relative risk (RR) of influenza was significantly associated with a 10 μg/m3 increase in SO2 (RR: 1.099; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.011-1.195), NO2 (RR: 1.039; 95% CI: 1.013-1.065), and O3 (RR: 1.005; 95% CI: 0.994-1.016), respectively. In the multi-day lag model, concentrations of SO2, NO2, and O3 were statistically significantly associated with the risk of influenza at lag 0-1. The seasonal analysis suggests that the influence of air pollution on influenza is greater in the cold season as compared in the warm season in the early lag days. The multi-pollutant model indicates that NO2 may be a potential confounder for co-pollutants. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows that air pollution may be associated with the risk of influenza in a broad sense. Therefore, when formulating policies to deal with influenza outbreaks in the future, factors regarding air pollution should be taken into consideration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongna Meng
- School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, 115 Donghu Road, 430071, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuanan Lu
- Environmental Health Laboratory, Department of Public Health Sciences, University Hawaii at Manoa, 1960 East West Rd, Biomed Bldg, D105, Honolulu, USA
| | - Hao Xiang
- School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, 115 Donghu Road, 430071, Wuhan, China.
| | - Suyang Liu
- School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, 115 Donghu Road, 430071, Wuhan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
SanJuan-Reyes S, Gómez-Oliván LM, Islas-Flores H. COVID-19 in the environment. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 263:127973. [PMID: 32829224 PMCID: PMC7426221 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
In recent months, the presence of an emerging disease of infectious etiology has paralyzed everyone, already being a public health problem due to its high rate of infection, a life-threatening disease. The WHO has named it COVID-19, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV2). New studies provide information of the role of the environment in COVID-19 transmission process, mortality related to this infectious disease and the impact on human health. The following review aims to analyze information on the implications of COVID-19 infection on human health and the impact of its presence on the environment, from its transmission capacity and the role of air pollutants and climatological factors to reducing the air pollution during confinement. Likewise, it provides a vision of the impact on the environment and human health of exposure to disinfectants and the presence of COVID-19 in wastewater, among other actions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sindy SanJuan-Reyes
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma Del Estado de México, Paseo Colón Intersección Paseo Tollocan S/n, Col. Residencial Colón, 50120, Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Leobardo Manuel Gómez-Oliván
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma Del Estado de México, Paseo Colón Intersección Paseo Tollocan S/n, Col. Residencial Colón, 50120, Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico.
| | - Hariz Islas-Flores
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma Del Estado de México, Paseo Colón Intersección Paseo Tollocan S/n, Col. Residencial Colón, 50120, Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Birch H, Walter C, Irving L, Dharmage SC, Smallwood N. Australian childcare centres are too close to car parks exposing children with developing lungs to high levels of traffic pollution. Aust N Z J Public Health 2020; 44:489-492. [PMID: 33197113 DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.13047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the co-location of childcare centres and their outdoor play spaces with car parks in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia. METHODS The co-location of childcare centre outdoor play spaces and car parks was examined through measurement of horizontal and vertical distances using Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. RESULTS One hundred and forty-two childcare centres were studied in Melbourne, with 133 accompanying car parks identified. Eighty-one (57.0%) centres had a significant size car park within 150 m and 43.7% had a car park within 100 m. Twenty car parks (15.0%) were found within 10 metres of childcare centres, of which 12 (9.0%) had more than 100 spaces. Twenty centres were examined in Sydney, with 31 associated car parks identified. Eighteen childcare centres (90.0%) had car parks within 150 m and 17 (85.0%) had car parks within 100 m. CONCLUSION Australian childcare centres are located too close to car parks exposing children to pollution and likely impacting the development of chronic respiratory disease. Traffic pollution is an avoidable risk that must be considered when planning childcare centre location. Implications for public health: The co-location of childcare centres with large-scale car parks may have long-term impacts on the respiratory health of Australian children under the age of five.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harrison Birch
- Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, Victoria
| | - Clare Walter
- Pharmacology & Therapeutics, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria.,School of Public Health, University of Queensland
| | - Louis Irving
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria
| | - Shymali C Dharmage
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit, Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Victoria
| | - Natasha Smallwood
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria.,Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), University of Melbourne, Victoria
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Wynkoop W. Can COVID-19 show us a way to a healthier planet? Explore (NY) 2020; 17:94-95. [PMID: 33158783 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2020.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
|
48
|
Wu X, Nethery RC, Sabath MB, Braun D, Dominici F. Air pollution and COVID-19 mortality in the United States: Strengths and limitations of an ecological regression analysis. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eabd4049. [PMID: 33148655 PMCID: PMC7673673 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abd4049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 525] [Impact Index Per Article: 131.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Assessing whether long-term exposure to air pollution increases the severity of COVID-19 health outcomes, including death, is an important public health objective. Limitations in COVID-19 data availability and quality remain obstacles to conducting conclusive studies on this topic. At present, publicly available COVID-19 outcome data for representative populations are available only as area-level counts. Therefore, studies of long-term exposure to air pollution and COVID-19 outcomes using these data must use an ecological regression analysis, which precludes controlling for individual-level COVID-19 risk factors. We describe these challenges in the context of one of the first preliminary investigations of this question in the United States, where we found that higher historical PM2.5 exposures are positively associated with higher county-level COVID-19 mortality rates after accounting for many area-level confounders. Motivated by this study, we lay the groundwork for future research on this important topic, describe the challenges, and outline promising directions and opportunities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- X Wu
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - R C Nethery
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - M B Sabath
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - D Braun
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Data Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - F Dominici
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Zeng W, Zhao H, Liu R, Yan W, Qiu Y, Yang F, Shu C, Zhan Y. Association between NO 2 cumulative exposure and influenza prevalence in mountainous regions: A case study from southwest China. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 189:109926. [PMID: 32980014 PMCID: PMC7354378 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
While accumulating evidence shows that air pollution exposure is an important risk factor to influenza prevalence, their association has been inadequately investigated in mountainous regions with dense populations and high humidity. We aim to estimate the association and exposure-outcome effects between exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and influenza prevalence in a mountainous region with a dense population and high humidity. We investigated 14,993 patients with confirmed influenza cases from January 2013 to December 2017 in Chongqing, a mountainous city in southwest China. We developed distributed lag non-linear models with quasi-Poisson link to take into account the lag and non-linear effects of NO2 exposure on influenza prevalence. We estimated that the cumulative effect of a 10 μg/m3 increase in NO2 with seven-day lag (i.e., summing all the contributions up to seven days) corresponded to relative risk of 1.24 (95% CI: 1.17-1.31) in daily influenza prevalence. Comparing to annual mean of the World Health Organization air quality guidelines of 40 μg/m3 for NO2, we estimated that 14.01% (95% CI: 10.69-17.08%) of the influenza cases were attributable to excessive NO2 exposure. Our results suggest that NO2 exposure could worsen the risk of influenza infection in this mountainous city, filling the gap of relevant researches in densely populated and mountainous cities. Our findings provide evidence for developing influenza surveillance and early warning systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wen Zeng
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610065, China
| | - Han Zhao
- Chongqing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Wei Yan
- Chongqing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing, China
| | - Yang Qiu
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610065, China
| | - Fumo Yang
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610065, China; National Engineering Research Center for Flue Gas Desulfurization, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610065, China
| | - Chang Shu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China.
| | - Yu Zhan
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610065, China; National Engineering Research Center for Flue Gas Desulfurization, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610065, China; Medical Big Data Center, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China; Sino-German Centre for Water and Health Research, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610065, China.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Lin C, Lau AKH, Fung JCH, Guo C, Chan JWM, Yeung DW, Zhang Y, Bo Y, Hossain MS, Zeng Y, Lao XQ. A mechanism-based parameterisation scheme to investigate the association between transmission rate of COVID-19 and meteorological factors on plains in China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 737:140348. [PMID: 32569904 PMCID: PMC7301117 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which first emerged in Hubei province, China, has become a pandemic. However, data regarding the effects of meteorological factors on its transmission are limited and inconsistent. A mechanism-based parameterisation scheme was developed to investigate the association between the scaled transmission rate (STR) of COVID-19 and the meteorological parameters in 20 provinces/municipalities located on the plains in China. We obtained information on the scale of population migrated from Wuhan, the world epicentre of the COVID-19 outbreak, into the study provinces/municipalities using mobile-phone positioning system and big data techniques. The highest STRs were found in densely populated metropolitan areas and in cold provinces located in north-eastern China. Population density had a non-linear relationship with disease spread (linearity index, 0.9). Among various meteorological factors, only temperature was significantly associated with the STR after controlling for the effect of population density. A negative and exponential relationship was identified between the transmission rate and the temperature (correlation coefficient, -0.56; 99% confidence level). The STR increased substantially as the temperature in north-eastern China decreased below 0 °C (the STR ranged from 3.5 to 12.3 when the temperature was between -9.41 °C and -13.87 °C), whilst the STR showed less temperature dependence in the study areas with temperate weather conditions (the STR was 1.21 ± 0.57 when the temperature was above 0 °C). Therefore, a higher population density was linearly whereas a lower temperature (<0 °C) was exponentially associated with an increased transmission rate of COVID-19. These findings suggest that the mitigation of COVID-19 spread in densely populated and/or cold regions will be a great challenge.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Changqing Lin
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Alexis K H Lau
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Jimmy C H Fung
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China; Department of Mathematics, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Cui Guo
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jimmy W M Chan
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - David W Yeung
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yumiao Zhang
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yacong Bo
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Md Shakhaoat Hossain
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yiqian Zeng
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiang Qian Lao
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| |
Collapse
|