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. 2016 Jul;144(10):2077-86.
doi: 10.1017/S0950268816000315. Epub 2016 Mar 2.

Incidence and viral aetiologies of acute respiratory illnesses (ARIs) in the United States: a population-based study

P G Szilagyi  1 , A Blumkin  2 , J J Treanor  3 , S Gallivan  4 , C Albertin  2 , G K Lofthus  2 , K C Schnabel  2 , J G Donahue  5 , M G Thompson  6 , D K Shay  6
Affiliations

Incidence and viral aetiologies of acute respiratory illnesses (ARIs) in the United States: a population-based study

P G Szilagyi et al. Epidemiol Infect. 2016 Jul.

Abstract

We conducted prospective, community-wide surveillance for acute respiratory illnesses (ARIs) in Rochester, NY and Marshfield, WI during a 3-month period in winter 2011. We estimated the incidence of ARIs in each community, tested for viruses, and determined the proportion of ARIs associated with healthcare visits. We used a rolling cross-sectional design to sample participants, conducted telephone interviews to assess ARI symptoms (defined as a current illness with feverishness or cough within the past 7 days), collected nasal/throat swabs to identify viruses, and extracted healthcare utilization from outpatient/inpatient records. Of 6492 individuals, 321 reported an ARI within 7 days (4·9% total, 5·7% in Rochester, 4·4% in Marshfield); swabs were collected from 208 subjects. The cumulative ARI incidence for the entire 3-month period was 52% in Rochester [95% confidence interval (CI) 42-63] and 35% in Marshfield (95% CI 28-42). A specific virus was identified in 39% of specimens: human coronavirus (13% of samples), rhinovirus (12%), RSV (7%), influenza virus (4%), human metapneumovirus (4%), and adenovirus (1%). Only 39/200 (20%) had a healthcare visit (2/9 individuals with influenza). ARI incidence was ~5% per week during winter.

Keywords: Acute respiratory illnesses (ARIs); influenza; respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Flow chart for numbers of individuals contacted, with acute respiratory illnesses (ARIs), and number of ARI specimens.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Number of acute respiratory illness (ARI) cases by week of surveillance, by geographical site. (a) Rochester, (b) Marshfield.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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