Genetic and Antigenic Characterization of an Influenza A(H3N2) Outbreak in Cambodia and the Greater Mekong Subregion during the COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020
Jurre Y. Siegers, Vijaykrishna Dhanasekaran, Ruopeng Xie, Yi-Mo Deng, Sarika Patel, Vanra Ieng, Jean Moselen, Heidi Peck, Ammar Aziz, Borann Sarr, Savuth Chin, Seng Heng, Asheena Khalakdina, Michael Kinzer, Darapheak Chau, Philomena Raftery, Veasna Duong, Ly Sovann, Ian G. Barr, Erik A. Karlsson
Abstract
The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly altered the circulation patterns of respiratory diseases worldwide and disrupted continued surveillance in many countries. Introduction of control measures in early 2020 against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has resulted in a remarkable reduction in the circulation of many respiratory diseases. Influenza activity has remained at historically low levels globally since March 2020, even when increased influenza testing was performed in some countries. Maintenance of the influenza surveillance system in Cambodia in 2020 allowed for the detection and response to an influenza A(H3N2) outbreak in late 2020, resulting in the inclusion of this virus in the 2021-2022 Northern Hemisphere influenza vaccine.