Shifting patterns of respiratory virus activity following social distancing measures for COVID-19 in South Korea

Abstract

Background

We hypothesized that nationwide social distancing and other preventive measures for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were associated with reduced detection of other respiratory viruses in South Korea.

Methods

We analyzed national surveillance data to compare incidence of respiratory viruses during 2016-2019 vs. 2020. Results of multiplex reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction assays for eight respiratory viruses were included: adenovirus (ADV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza virus (IFV), human coronavirus (HCoV; non-SARS-CoV-2), human rhinovirus (HRV), human bocavirus (HBoV), and human metapneumovirus (HMPV).

Results

During 2016-2019, rates of detection of respiratory viruses were relatively stable: ADV, 3.7%-9.2%; PIV, 1.4%-17.0%; RSV, 0.3%-15.3%; IFV, 0.4%-35.6%; HCoV, 1.5%-8.4%; HRV, 7.0%-25.1%; HBoV, 0.6%-6.3%; and HMPV, 0.7%-14.5%. Following implementation of social distancing in February 2020, rates of detection of enveloped viruses (HCoV, HMPV, IFV, PIV and RSV) were significantly reduced by up to 100%. However, non-enveloped viruses (ADV, HRV and HBoV) persisted throughout 2020, and HRV rates in hospitalized patients significantly increased.

Conclusions

After implementation of social distancing for SARS-CoV-2 in South Korea, rates of detection of enveloped respiratory viruses decreased significantly, whereas non-enveloped viruses persisted, suggesting that enhanced infection prevention strategies are required to mitigate spread of these viruses.