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Kakoullis L, Steffen R, Osterhaus A, Goeijenbier M, Rao SR, Koiso S, Hyle EP, Ryan ET, LaRocque RC, Chen LH. Influenza: seasonality and travel-related considerations. J Travel Med 2023; 30:taad102. [PMID: 37535890 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taad102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE FOR REVIEW This review aims to summarize the transmission patterns of influenza, its seasonality in different parts of the globe, air travel- and cruise ship-related influenza infections and interventions to reduce transmission. KEY FINDINGS The seasonality of influenza varies globally, with peak periods occurring mainly between October and April in the northern hemisphere (NH) and between April and October in the southern hemisphere (SH) in temperate climate zones. However, influenza seasonality is significantly more variable in the tropics. Influenza is one of the most common travel-related, vaccine-preventable diseases and can be contracted during travel, such as during a cruise or through air travel. Additionally, travellers can come into contact with people from regions with ongoing influenza transmission. Current influenza immunization schedules in the NH and SH leave individuals susceptible during their respective spring and summer months if they travel to the other hemisphere during that time. CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS The differences in influenza seasonality between hemispheres have substantial implications for the effectiveness of influenza vaccination of travellers. Health care providers should be aware of influenza activity when patients report travel plans, and they should provide alerts and advise on prevention, diagnostic and treatment options. To mitigate the risk of travel-related influenza, interventions include antivirals for self-treatment (in combination with the use of rapid self-tests), extending the shelf life of influenza vaccines to enable immunization during the summer months for international travellers and allowing access to the influenza vaccine used in the opposite hemisphere as a travel-related vaccine. With the currently available vaccines, the most important preventive measure involves optimizing the seasonal influenza vaccination. It is also imperative that influenza is recognized as a travel-related illness among both travellers and health care professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loukas Kakoullis
- Department of Medicine, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Robert Steffen
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, 8001, Switzerland
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics & Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Albert Osterhaus
- Research Center Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, 30559, Germany
| | - Marco Goeijenbier
- Department of Intensive Care, Spaarne Gasthuis, Haarlem, 2035, Netherlands
- Department of Intensive Care, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3015, Netherlands
| | - Sowmya R Rao
- Department of Global Health, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Satoshi Koiso
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Emily P Hyle
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, 02114, USA
| | - Edward T Ryan
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, 02114, USA
| | - Regina C LaRocque
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, 02114, USA
| | - Lin H Chen
- Department of Medicine, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Travel Medicine, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
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Alfelali M, Khandaker G, Booy R, Rashid H. Mismatching between circulating strains and vaccine strains of influenza: Effect on Hajj pilgrims from both hemispheres. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2017; 12:709-15. [PMID: 26317639 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2015.1085144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine is expected to provide optimum protection if the vaccine strains match the circulating strains. The effect of worldwide mismatch between the vaccine strains and extant strains on travelers attending Hajj pilgrimage is not known. Annually 2-3 million Muslims coming from north and south hemispheres congregate at Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, where intense congestion amplifies the risk of respiratory infection up to eight fold. In order to estimate, to what extent mismatching increases the risk of vaccine failure in Hajj pilgrims, we have examined the global data on influenza epidemiology since 2003, in light of the available data from Hajj. These data demonstrate that globally mismatching between circulating and vaccine strains has occurred frequently over the last 12 years, and the mismatch seems to have affected the Hajj pilgrims, however, influenza virus characteristics were studied only in a limited number of Hajj seasons. When the vaccines are different, dual vaccination of travelers by vaccines for southern and northern hemispheres should be considered for Hajj pilgrims whenever logistically feasible. Consideration should also be given to the use of vaccines with broader coverage, i.e., quadrivalent, or higher immunogenicity. Continuous surveillance of influenza at Hajj is important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Alfelali
- a National Center for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases, The Children's Hospital at Westmead and the University of Sydney ; Sydney , NSW , Australia.,b Department of Family and Community Medicine ; Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University ; Jeddah , Saudi Arabia
| | - Gulam Khandaker
- a National Center for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases, The Children's Hospital at Westmead and the University of Sydney ; Sydney , NSW , Australia.,c Centre for Perinatal Infection Research, The Children's Hospital at Westmead and the University of Sydney ; Sydney , NSW , Australia.,d Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, School of Biological Sciences and Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney ; Sydney , NSW , Australia
| | - Robert Booy
- a National Center for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases, The Children's Hospital at Westmead and the University of Sydney ; Sydney , NSW , Australia.,d Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, School of Biological Sciences and Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney ; Sydney , NSW , Australia
| | - Harunor Rashid
- a National Center for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases, The Children's Hospital at Westmead and the University of Sydney ; Sydney , NSW , Australia.,d Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, School of Biological Sciences and Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney ; Sydney , NSW , Australia
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Boggild AK, Castelli F, Gautret P, Torresi J, von Sonnenburg F, Barnett ED, Greenaway CA, Lim PL, Schwartz E, Wilder-Smith A, Wilson ME. Latitudinal patterns of travel among returned travelers with influenza: results from the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network, 1997-2007. J Travel Med 2012; 19:4-8. [PMID: 22221805 DOI: 10.1111/j.1708-8305.2011.00579.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Influenza is a common vaccine-preventable disease among international travelers, but few data exist to guide use of reciprocal hemisphere or out-of-season vaccines. METHODS We analyzed records of ill-returned travelers in the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network to determine latitudinal travel patterns in those who acquired influenza abroad. RESULTS Among 37,542 ill-returned travelers analyzed, 59 were diagnosed with influenza A and 11 with influenza B. Half of travelers from temperate regions to the tropics departed outside influenza season. Twelve travelers crossed hemispheres from one temperate region to another, five during influenza season. Ten of 12 travelers (83%) with influenza who crossed hemispheres were managed as inpatients. Proportionate morbidity estimates for influenza A acquisition were highest for travel to the East-Southeast Asian influenza circulation network with 6.13 (95% CI 4.5-8.2) cases per 1000 ill-returned travelers, a sevenfold increased proportionate morbidity compared to travel outside the network. CONCLUSIONS Alternate hemisphere and out-of-season influenza vaccine availability may benefit a small proportion of travelers. Proportionate morbidity estimates by region of travel can inform pre-travel consultation and emphasize the ease of acquisition of infections such as influenza during travel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea K Boggild
- Tropical Disease Unit, UHN-Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4 Canada.
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Abstract
Influenza is the most frequent travel related infection preventable by universally available vaccines, but preventive measures were neglected until recently. Since the spread of pandemic (H1N1) 2009, various public health measures have been promoted first to contain, then to mitigate, the pandemic. Some of these measures contradicted recommendations issued by the World Health Organization and were of questionable efficacy. However, travelers may benefit from targeted recommendations on influenza risk reduction (eg, by social distancing or immunization). These recommendations are particularly indicated for those with an increased personal risk profile and for those likely to be exposed to influenza patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Steffen
- Division of Epidemiology and Prevention of Communicable Diseases, Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Travelers' Health, University of Zurich, Hirschengraben 84 / E29, CH-8001, Zurich, Switzerland,
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