Climatic drivers of seasonal influenza epidemics in French Guiana, 2006-2010.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Influenza seasonality remains poorly studied in Equatorial regions. Here we assessed the seasonal characteristics and environmental drivers of influenza epidemics in French Guiana, where influenza surveillance was established in 2006.

Methods

Sentinel GPs monitored weekly incidence of Influenza-like illnesses (ILI) from January 2006 through December 2010 and collected nasopharyngeal specimens from patients for virological confirmation. Times series analysis was used to investigate relationship between ILI and climatic parameters (rainfall and specific humidity).

Results

Based on 1533 viruses identified during the study period, we observed marked seasonality in the circulation of influenza virus in the pre-pandemic period, followed by year-round activity in

SUBMITTER: Mahamat A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3718068 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature