Time trend of respiratory viruses before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in severe acute respiratory virus infection in the Sultanate of Oman between 2017 and 2022.
Hanan Al KindiLuke William MeredithAmina Al-JardaniFathima SajinaIntisar Al ShukriRehan Al HajFatma AlyaquobiAdil Al WahaibiAmal Al MaaniPublished in: Influenza and other respiratory viruses (2023)
The COVID-19 pandemic heightened awareness of respiratory pathogens' spread without adequate control measures. Influenza A/B, human rhinoviruses and respiratory syncytial virus constituted over 50% of severe acute respiratory illness cases in Oman over the past 5 years. During the pandemic, the incidence of these infections significantly declined, demonstrating the efficacy of COVID-19 prevention measures in reducing spread of other pathogens.