Ambulance dispatch calls attributable to influenza A and other common respiratory viruses in the Netherlands (2014‐2016). Issue 4 (14th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Monge, Susana; Duijster, Janneke; Kommer, Geert Jan; van de Kassteele, Jan; Krafft, Thomas; Engelen, Paul; Valk, Jens P.; de Waard, Jan; de Nooij, Jan; Riezebos‐Brilman, Annelies; van der Hoek, Wim; van Asten, Liselotte
• Is Part Of: Influenza and other respiratory viruses. Volume 14:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 420
• Page End: 428
• Publication Date: 2020-05-14
• Subjects: adenovirus -- ambulance -- coronavirus -- influenza -- respiratory syncytial virus -- rhinovirus; Influenza -- Periodicals; Respiratory infections -- Periodicals; Virus diseases -- Periodicals; Influenza, Human -- Periodicals; Respiratory Tract Diseases -- Periodicals; Virus Diseases -- Periodicals; Grippe -- Périodiques; Appareil respiratoire -- Infections -- Périodiques; Maladies à virus -- Périodiques; 616.203
• DOI: 10.1111/irv.12731
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1750-2640

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Ambulance dispatches could be useful for syndromic surveillance of severe respiratory infections. We evaluated whether ambulance dispatch calls of highest urgency reflect the circulation of influenza A virus, influenza B virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus, adenovirus, coronavirus, parainfluenzavirus and human metapneumovirus (hMPV). Methods: We analysed calls from four ambulance call centres serving 25% of the population in the Netherlands (2014‐2016). The chief symptom and urgency level is recorded during triage; we restricted our analysis to calls with the highest urgency and identified those compatible with a respiratory syndrome. We modelled the relation between respiratory syndrome calls (RSC) and respiratory virus trends using binomial regression with identity link function. Results: We included 211 739 calls, of which 15 385 (7.3%) were RSC. Proportion of RSC showed periodicity with winter peaks and smaller interseasonal increases. Overall, 15% of RSC were attributable to respiratory viruses (20% in out‐of‐office hour calls). There was large variation by age group: in <15 years, only RSV was associated and explained 11% of RSC; in 15‐64 years, only influenza A (explained 3% of RSC); and in ≥65 years adenovirus explained 9% of RSC, distributed throughout the year, and hMPV (4%) and influenza A (1%) mainly during the winter peaks. Additionally, rhinovirus was associated with total RSC. Conclusion: High urgency ambulance dispatches reflect the burden of different respiratory viruses and might be useful to monitor the respiratory season overall. Influenza plays a smaller role than other viruses: RSV is important in children while adenovirus and hMPV are the biggest contributors to emergency calls in the elderly.