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Embargo date
2030-01-01
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- IOC - Artigos de Periódicos [12973]
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SEASONALITY OF INFLUENZA IN THE TROPICS: A DISTINCT PATTERN IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL
Affilliation
Universidade Federal do Ceará. Faculdade de Medicina. Departamento de Patologia e Medicina Legal. Laboratório de Virologia. Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Vírus Respiratório e Sarampo. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Vírus Respiratório e Sarampo. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Vírus Respiratório e Sarampo. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Vírus Respiratório e Sarampo. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil.
Abstract
Influenza epidemics occur worldwide annually. The incidence of influenza shows a seasonal pattern in
temperate areas, but little is known about influenza seasonality in tropical regions. The objective of this study was to
determine the prevalence and the seasonal pattern of influenza infections in children living in the city of Fortaleza in
northeastern Brazil. An indirect immunofluorescence assay was performed on nasopharyngeal aspirates collected from
children attending in ambulatories, emergency rooms, and wards of the Hospital Infantil Albert Sabin with suspicion of
acute respiratory infection during 7 consecutive years (2001–2007). Influenza viruses were detected in 6.3% (234/3,708)
of specimens. Laboratory-based surveillance data showed a clear annual epidemic cycle of influenza, with a peak usually
occurring in the rainy periods. In Fortaleza, flu infections occurred at a low level throughout the year but exhibit a marked
seasonal increase during the rainy season.
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