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Local spatial and temporal processes of influenza in pennsylvania, usa: 2003-2009

Stark, JH and Sharma, R and Ostroff, S and Cummings, DAT and Ermentrout, B and Stebbins, S and Burke, DS and Wisniewski, SR (2012) Local spatial and temporal processes of influenza in pennsylvania, usa: 2003-2009. PLoS ONE, 7 (3).

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Abstract

Background: Influenza is a contagious respiratory disease responsible for annual seasonal epidemics in temperate climates. An understanding of how influenza spreads geographically and temporally within regions could result in improved public health prevention programs. The purpose of this study was to summarize the spatial and temporal spread of influenza using data obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of Health's influenza surveillance system. Methodology and Findings: We evaluated the spatial and temporal patterns of laboratory-confirmed influenza cases in Pennsylvania, United States from six influenza seasons (2003-2009). Using a test of spatial autocorrelation, local clusters of elevated risk were identified in the South Central region of the state. Multivariable logistic regression indicated that lower monthly precipitation levels during the influenza season (OR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.94), fewer residents over age 64 (OR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.10, 0.73) and fewer residents with more than a high school education (OR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.61, 0.95) were significantly associated with membership in this cluster. In addition, time series analysis revealed a temporal lag in the peak timing of the influenza B epidemic compared to the influenza A epidemic. Conclusions: These findings illustrate a distinct spatial cluster of cases in the South Central region of Pennsylvania. Further examination of the regional transmission dynamics within these clusters may be useful in planning public health influenza prevention programs. © 2012 Stark et al.

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Details

Item Type: Article
Status: Published
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Stark, JH
Sharma, Rrks1946@pitt.eduRKS1946
Ostroff, S
Cummings, DAT
Ermentrout, B
Stebbins, S
Burke, DSdonburke@pitt.eduDONBURKE
Wisniewski, SRSTEVEWIS@pitt.eduSTEVEWIS
Contributors:
ContributionContributors NameEmailPitt UsernameORCID
EditorVespignani, AlessandroUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Date: 28 March 2012
Date Type: Publication
Journal or Publication Title: PLoS ONE
Volume: 7
Number: 3
DOI or Unique Handle: 10.1371/journal.pone.0034245
Schools and Programs: School of Public Health > Behavioral and Community Health Sciences
School of Public Health > Epidemiology
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences > Mathematics
Refereed: Yes
MeSH Headings: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Child; Child, Preschool; Cluster Analysis; Female; Humans; Infant; Influenza, Human--epidemiology; Influenza, Human--transmission; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Odds Ratio; Pennsylvania--epidemiology; Rain; Seasons; Socioeconomic Factors; Time Factors; Young Adult
Other ID: NLM PMC3314628
PubMed Central ID: PMC3314628
PubMed ID: 22470544
Date Deposited: 24 Sep 2012 20:05
Last Modified: 18 May 2020 13:56
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/14162

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