Decreased incidence of enterovirus and norovirus infections during the COVID-19 pandemic, Victoria, Australia, 2020
Leesa D. Bruggink, Arnau Garcia-Clapes, Thomas Tran, Julian Druce, Bruce Thorley
Abstract
ABSTRACT: Significant reductions in the incidence of enteroviruses and noroviruses, both transmitted primarily by the faecal-oral route, were noted in 2020 compared to the previous decade, in Victoria, Australia. The enterovirus specimen positivity rate was reduced by 84.2% in 2020, while the norovirus outbreak positivity rate declined by 49.0%. The most likely explanation for these reductions is the concurrence of social restrictions, physical distancing, personal hygiene awareness and international and domestic border closures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Topics & Concepts
NorovirusPandemicIncidence (geometry)Social distanceOutbreakEnterovirusVirologyHygieneCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)MedicinePersonal hygieneVirusFamily medicineInternal medicineInfectious disease (medical specialty)OpticsPathologyPhysicsDiseaseViral gastroenteritis research and epidemiologyViral Infections and Immunology ResearchRespiratory viral infections research