文章基本信息

标题：Days of Flooding Associated with Increased Risk of Influenza
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作者：Eric Kontowicz ; Grant Brown ; James Torner 等
期刊名称：Journal of Environmental and Public Health
印刷版ISSN：1687-9805
电子版ISSN：1687-9813
出版年度：2022
卷号：2022
DOI：10.1155/2022/8777594
语种：English
出版社：Hindawi Publishing Corporation
摘要：Influenza typically causes mild infection but can lead to severe outcomes for those with compromised lung health. Flooding, a seasonal problem in Iowa, can expose many Iowans to molds and allergens shown to alter lung inflammation, leading to asthma attacks and decreased viral clearance. Based on this, the hypothesis for this research was that there would be geographically specific positive associations in locations with flooding with influenza diagnosis. An ecological study was performed using influenza diagnoses and positive influenza polymerase chain reaction tests from a de-identified large private insurance database and Iowa State Hygienic Lab. After adjustment for multiple confounding factors, Poisson regression analysis resulted in a consistent 1% associated increase in influenza diagnoses per day above flood stage (95% confidence interval: 1.00–1.04). This relationship remained after removal of the 2009–2010 influenza pandemic year. There was no associated risk between flooding and influenza-like illness as a nonspecific diagnosis. Associated risks between flooding and increased influenza diagnoses were geographically specific, with the greatest risk in the most densely populated areas. This study indicates that populations who live, work, or volunteer in flooded environments should consider preventative measures to avoid environmental exposures to mitigate illness from influenza in the following year.