Influence of Media on Seasonal Influenza Epidemic Curves.

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Influence of Media on Seasonal Influenza Epidemic Curves.

Int J Infect Dis. 2016 Sep;50:6-9

Authors: Saito S, Saito N, Itoga M, Ozaki H, Kimura T, Okamura Y, Murakami H, Kayaba H

Abstract
BACK GROUND: Theoretical investigations predicting the epidemic curves of seasonal influenza have been demonstrated so far; however, there is little empirical research using ever accumulated epidemic curves. The effects of vaccine coverage and information distribution on influenza epidemics were evaluated.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four indices for epidemics (i.e., onset-peak duration, onset-end duration, ratio of the onset-peak duration to onset-end duration and steepness of epidemic curves) were defined, and the correlations between these indices and anti-flu drug prescription dose, vaccine coverage, the volume of media and search trend on influenza through internet were analyzed. Epidemiological data on seasonal influenza epidemics from 2002/2003 to 2013/2014 excluding 2009/2010 season were collected from National Institute of Infectious Diseases of Japan.
RESULTS: The onset-peak duration and its ratio to onset-end duration correlated inversely with the volume of anti-flu drug prescription. Onset-peak duration correlated positively with media information volume on influenza. The steepness of the epidemic curve, and anti-flu drug prescription dose inversely correlated with the volume of media information. Pre-epidemic search trend and media volume on influenza correlated with the vaccine coverage in the season. Vaccine coverage had no strong effect on epidemic curve.
CONCLUSION: Education through media has an effect on the epidemic curve of seasonal influenza.

PMID: 27418579 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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