The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on other respiratory viruses in the Haut-Ogooué Province of Gabon.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the circulation, prevalence, and diversity of respiratory viruses other than SARS-CoV-2.

METHODS

Between May 2020 and December 2021, 640 nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from individuals with or without respiratory symptoms, all of whom tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. Samples were analyzed for other respiratory viruses using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

The overall positivity rate for respiratory viruses was 4.37% (95% confidence interval: 2.79-5.96). Rhinovirus was the most common virus detected (1.25%), followed by PIV4 (0.78%), Human Coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) (0.62%), and influenza B (0.46%). Influenza A (H1N1pdm09) and Human Coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43) each had a prevalence of 1%. Other viruses, including H3N2, Human Coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63), and Human Coronavirus HKU1 (HCoV-HKU1), were less frequent (0.15%).

CONCLUSIONS

The study reveals a low circulation of respiratory viruses other than SARS-CoV-2 during the period from May 2020 to December 2021. This observation is directly linked to the preponderant circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and the strict measures put in place to limit its transmission.