V1. Studies of the epidemiology of viral infections
Late Breaking Abstract Submission
Evan J. Anderson, MD
Infectious Diseases Physician
Emory University, Atlanta VA Medical Center
Atlanta, Georgia
Disclosure: AbbVie: Consultant
GSK: Grant/Research Support
Merck: Grant/Research Support
Micron: Grant/Research Support
PaxVax: Grant/Research Support
Pfizer: Consultant, Grant/Research Support
Sanofi Pasteur: Grant/Research Support
Nancy M. Bennett, MD
Professor of Medicine and Public Health Sciences
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Rochester, NY
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose
Laurie M. Billing, MPH
Epidemiologist
Ohio Department of Health
Columbus, Ohio
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose
Rachel Herlihy, MD. MPH
State Epidemiologist
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Denver, Colorado
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose
Mary Hill, MPH
Epidemiology Supervisor
Salt Lake County Health Department
Salt Lake City, UT
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose
Lourdes Irizarry, MD
Infectious Diseases Physician
New Mexico Department of Health
Santa Fe, NM
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose
Sue Kim, MPH
Epidemiologist
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Lansing, Michigan
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose
Pam D. Kirley, MPH
Epidemiologist
California Emerging Infections Program
Oakland, CA
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose
Ruth Lynfield, MD
State Epidemiologist
Minnesota Department of Health
St. Paul, Minnesota
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose
Maya Monroe, MPH
Epidemiologist
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Baltimore, Maryland
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose
Nancy Spina, MPH
Epidemiologist
New York State Department of Health
Albany, NY
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose
Keipp Talbot, MD, MPH
Infectious Diseases Physician
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, TN
Disclosure: Sequirus: Other Financial or Material Support, On Data Safety Monitoring Board
Ann Thomas, MD, MPH
Public Health Physician
Oregon Public Health Division
Portland, Oregon
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose
Kimberly Yousey-Hindes, MPH
Epidemiologist
Yale School of Public Health
New Haven, CT
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose
Background: The 2018-19 influenza season was characterized by prolonged co-circulation of Influenza A H3N2 (H3) and H1N1pdm09 (H1) viruses. We used data from the Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network (FluSurv-NET) to describe age-related differences in the distribution of influenza A subtypes.
Methods: We included all cases residing within a FluSurv-NET catchment area and hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza during October 1, 2018-April 30, 2019. We multiply imputed influenza A subtype for 63% of cases with unknown subtype and based imputation on factors that could be associated with missing subtype including surveillance site, 10-year age groups and month of hospital admission. We calculated influenza hospitalization rates and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) by type and subtype per 100,000 population. We compared the proportion of cases with H1 by year of age in FluSurv-NET to the distribution obtained from U.S. public health laboratories participating in virologic surveillance and providing specimen-level influenza results.
Results: Based on available data, 18,669 hospitalizations were reported; 41% received influenza vaccination ≥2 weeks prior to hospitalization and 90% received antivirals. Cumulative hospitalization rates per 100,000 population were as follows: H1 32.5 (95%CI 31.7—33.3), H3 29.3 (95%CI 28.5—30.1) and B 2.5 (95%CI 2.3—2.7). Based on weekly rates, H1 hospitalizations peaked during February (week 8) and H3 hospitalizations during March (week 11) (Figure A). FluSurv-NET data showed distinct patterns of subtype distribution by age, with H1 predominating among cases 0-9 and 24-70 years, and H3 predominating among cases 10-23 and ≥71 years. Data on the proportion of H1 results by age correlated well between FluSurv-NET and U.S. virologic surveillance (Figure B).
Conclusion: Influenza A H1 and H3 virus circulation patterns varied by age group during the 2018-19 season. The proportion of cases with H1 relative to H3 was low among those born between 1996-2009 and those born before 1948. These findings may indicate protection against H1 viruses in age groups with exposure to H1N1pdm09 during the 2009 pandemic or to older antigenically similar H1N1 viruses as young children.
