The national burden of influenza‐like illness and severe respiratory illness overall and associated with nine respiratory viruses in South Africa, 2013–2015

BackgroundEstimates of the disease burden associated with different respiratory viruses are severely limited in low‐ and middle‐income countries, especially in Africa.MethodsWe estimated age‐specific numbers and rates of medically and non‐medically attended influenza‐like illness (ILI) and severe respiratory illness (SRI) that were associated with influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus, human metapneumovirus, adenovirus, enterovirus and parainfluenza virus types 1–3 after adjusting for the attributable fraction (AF) of virus detection to illness in South Africa during 2013–2015. The base rates were estimated from five surveillance sites and extrapolated nationally.ResultsThe mean annual rates per 100,000 population were 51,383 and 4196 for ILI and SRI, respectively. Of these, 26% (for ILI) and 46% (for SRI) were medically attended. Among outpatients with ILI, rhinovirus had the highest AF‐adjusted rate (7221), followed by influenza (6443) and adenovirus (1364); whereas, among inpatients with SRI, rhinovirus had the highest AF‐adjusted rate (400), followed by RSV (247) and influenza (130). Rhinovirus (9424) and RSV (2026) had the highest AF‐adjusted rates among children aged <5 years with ILI or SRI, respectively, whereas rhinovirus (757) and influenza (306) had the highest AF‐adjusted rates among individuals aged ≥65 years with ILI or SRI, respectively.ConclusionsThere was a substantial burden of ILI and SRI in South Africa during 2013–2015. Rhinovirus and influenza had a prominent disease burden among patients with ILI. RSV and influenza were the most prominent causes of SRI in children and the elderly, respectively.     

Characteristics of respiratory viral infections during influenza season in Canadian Hutterite Communities

Please cite this paper as: Kim et al. (2012) Characteristics of respiratory viral infections during influenza season in Canadian Hutterite Communities. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses DOI:10.1111/irv.12021. Objectives:  To determined the pathogen‐specific incidence of respiratory virus infection in Hutterite communities occurring over the 2008–2009 influenza season and assess temporal characteristics of respiratory illness related to infection. Methods:  3273 participants community members enrolled in a cluster randomized trial of influenza vaccine were studied. Results:  One hundred forty‐nine participants had laboratory‐confirmed influenza, and 595 had at least one episode of laboratory‐confirmed respiratory viral infection other than influenza. Entero/rhinovirus had the highest incidence among children <5 years. Conclusions:  A decline in the incidence of infections with age was observed for influenza as well as for most other respiratory viruses.     

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of community‐acquired and nosocomial influenza cases and risk factors associated with complications: A four season analysis of all adult patients admitted in a tertiary hospital

BackgroundInformation on the characteristics of patients with nosocomial influenza and associated complications is scarce. This study compared epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients admitted with hospital‐acquired influenza (HAI) to those with community‐acquired influenza (CAI) and analyzed risk factors associated with complications.MethodsThis retrospective, observational study included all adult patients with confirmed influenza virus infection admitted to Son Espases University Hospital during the influenza season in Spain (October to May) from 2012‐2013 to 2015‐2016. Symptom onset before admission was included as CAI, and 2 days after admission or within 48 hours after previous discharge were considered as HAI.ResultsOverall, 666 patients with laboratory‐confirmed influenza were included; 590 (88.6%) and 76 (11.4%) had CAI and HAI, respectively. Baseline characteristics and vaccination rates were similar in both groups. Patients with HAI had significantly fewer symptoms, less radiological alterations, and earlier microbiological diagnosis than those with CAI. Eighty‐five (14.4%) and 20 (27.6%) CAI and HAI patients, respectively, experienced at least one complication, including septic shock, admission to the intensive care unit, mechanical ventilation or evolution to death (any one, P = .003). Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression was performed to assess independent risk factors associated with the occurrence of complications: nosocomial infection, diabetes, oseltamivir treatment, having received no vaccination, microbiological delay, dyspnea, and the state of confusion were the most important significant factors.ConclusionsOur study shows the need to implement microbiological diagnostic measures in the first 48 hours to reduce HAI frequency and associated complications.     

Interactions among common non‐SARS‐CoV‐2 respiratory viruses and influence of the COVID‐19 pandemic on their circulation in New York City

BackgroundNon‐pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and voluntary behavioral changes during the COVID‐19 pandemic have influenced the circulation of non‐SARS‐CoV‐2 respiratory infections. We aimed to examine interactions among common non‐SARS‐CoV‐2 respiratory virus and further estimate the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on these viruses.MethodsWe analyzed incidence data for seven groups of respiratory viruses in New York City (NYC) during October 2015 to May 2021 (i.e., before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic). We first used elastic net regression to identify potential virus interactions and further examined the robustness of the found interactions by comparing the performance of Seasonal Auto Regressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) models with and without the interactions. We then used the models to compute counterfactual estimates of cumulative incidence and estimate the reduction during the COVID‐19 pandemic period from March 2020 to May 2021, for each virus.ResultsWe identified potential interactions for three endemic human coronaviruses (CoV‐NL63, CoV‐HKU, and CoV‐OC43), parainfluenza (PIV)‐1, rhinovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). We found significant reductions (by ~70–90%) in cumulative incidence of CoV‐OC43, CoV‐229E, human metapneumovirus, PIV‐2, PIV‐4, RSV, and influenza virus during the COVID‐19 pandemic. In contrast, the circulation of adenovirus and rhinovirus was less affected.ConclusionsCirculation of several respiratory viruses has been low during the COVID‐19 pandemic, which may lead to increased population susceptibility. It is thus important to enhance monitoring of these viruses and promptly enact measures to mitigate their health impacts (e.g., influenza vaccination campaign and hospital infection prevention) as societies resume normal activities.     

Comparing the use of,and considering the need for,lumbar puncture in children with influenza or other respiratory virus infections

Please cite this paper as: Khandaker et al. (2012) Comparing the use of, and considering the need for, lumbar puncture in children with influenza or other respiratory virus infections. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses DOI:10.1111/irv.12039. Background  The clinical presentation of influenza in infancy may be similar to serious bacterial infection and be investigated with invasive procedures like lumbar puncture (LP), despite very limited evidence that influenza occurs concomitantly with bacterial meningitis, perhaps because the diagnosis of influenza is very often not established when the decision to perform LP is being considered. Methods  A retrospective medical record review was undertaken in all children presenting to the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia, in one winter season with laboratory‐confirmed influenza or other respiratory virus infections (ORVIs) but excluding respiratory syncytial virus, to compare the use of, and reflect on the need for, the performance of invasive diagnostic procedures, principally LP, but also blood culture, in influenza and non‐influenza cases. We also determined the rate of concomitant bacterial meningitis or bacteraemia. Findings  Of 294 children, 51% had laboratory‐confirmed influenza and 49% had ORVIs such as parainfluenza viruses (34%) and adenoviruses (15%). Of those with influenza, 18% had a LP and 71% had a blood culture performed compared with 6·3% and 55·5% in the ORVI group (for both P < 0·01). In multivariate analysis, diagnosis of influenza was a strong independent predictor of both LP (P = 0·02) and blood culture (P = 0·05) being performed, and, in comparison with ORVIs, influenza cases were almost three times more likely to have a LP performed on presentation to hospital. One child with influenza (0·9%) had bacteraemia and none had meningitis. Interpretation  Children with influenza were more likely to undergo LP on presentation to hospital compared with those presenting with ORVIs. If influenza is confirmed on admission by near‐patient testing, clinicians may be reassured and less inclined to perform LP, although if meningitis is clinically suspected, the clinician should act accordingly. We found that the risk of bacterial meningitis and bacteraemia was very low in hospitalised children with influenza and ORVIs. A systematic review should be performed to investigate this across a large number of settings.     

Burden of influenza during the first year of life

BackgroundEvery year, influenza viruses infect millions of children and cause an enormous burden of disease. Young children are at the highest risk for influenza‐attributable hospitalizations. Nevertheless, most young children are treated as outpatients, and limited data are available on the burden of influenza in these children.MethodsWe carried out a prospective cohort study and followed 431 infants born in June‐August 2017 for 10 months from September 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018. The parents filled out daily symptom diaries and were instructed to bring their child for clinical examination at our study clinic each time the child had fever or any signs or symptoms of respiratory tract infection. During each visit, we obtained nasopharyngeal swab specimens for determination of the viral etiology of the illness.ResultsA total of 55 episodes of laboratory‐confirmed influenza were diagnosed among the 408 actively participating children, which corresponds to an annual incidence rate of 135/1000 children (95% Cl, 102‐175). Excluding five children with double viral infection, acute otitis media developed as a complication of influenza in 23 (46%) children. One (2%) child with influenza was hospitalized because of febrile convulsion. The effectiveness of influenza vaccination was 48% (95% CI, −29%‐80%).ConclusionsThe burden of influenza during the first year of life is heavy in the outpatient setting where most infants with influenza are managed. Effective strategies for the prevention of influenza particularly in infants under 6 months of age are needed to diminish the burden of disease in this age group.     

Incidence of influenza virus infections confirmed by serology in children and adult in a suburb community,northern China, 2018‐2019 influenza season

BackgroundIn mainland China, seasonal influenza disease burden at community level is unknown. The incidence rate of influenza virus infections in the community is difficult to determine due to the lack of well‐defined catchment populations of influenza‐like illness surveillance sentinel hospitals.ObjectivesWe established a community‐based cohort to estimate incidence of seasonal influenza infections indicated by serology and protection conferred by antibody titers against influenza infections during 2018‐2019 influenza season in northern China.MethodsWe recruited participants in November 2018 and conducted follow‐up in May 2019 with collection of sera every survey. Seasonal influenza infections were indicated by a 4‐fold or greater increase of hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody between paired sera.ResultsTwo hundred and three children 5‐17 years of age and 413 adults 18‐59 years of age were followed up and provided paired sera. The overall incidence of seasonal influenza infection and incidence of A(H3N2) infection in children (31% and 17%, respectively) were significantly higher than those in adults (21% and 10%, respectively). The incidences of A(H1N1)pdm09 infection in children and adults were both about 10%, while the incidences of B/Victoria and/Yamagata infection in children and adults were from 2% to 4%. HI titers of 1:40 against A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) viruses were associated with 63% and 75% protection against infections with the two subtypes, respectively.ConclusionsIn the community, we identified considerable incidence of seasonal influenza infections. A HI titer of 1:40 could be sufficient to provide 50% protection against influenza A virus infections indicated by serology.     

Burden of severe illness associated with laboratory confirmed influenza in adults aged 50–64 years: A rapid review

BackgroundWhile the high burden of illness caused by seasonal influenza in children and the elderly is well recognize, less is known about the burden in adults 50–64 years of age. The lack of data for this age group is a key challenge in evaluating the cost‐effectiveness of immunization programs. We aimed to assess influenza‐associated hospitalization and mortality rates and case fatality rates for hospitalized cases among adults aged 50–64 years.MethodsThis rapid review was conducted according to the PRISMA; we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, Web of Science, and grey literature for articles and reports published since 2010. Studies reporting rates of hospitalization and/or mortality associated with laboratory‐confirmed influenza among adults 50–64 or 45–64 years of age for the 2010–11 through 2019–20 seasons were included.ResultsTwenty studies from 13 countries were reviewed. Reported rates of hospitalization associated with laboratory‐confirmed influenza were 5.7 to 112.8 per 100,000. Rates tended to be higher in the 2015–2019 compared with the 2010–2014 seasons and were higher in studies reporting data from high‐income versus low and middle‐income countries. Mortality rates were reported in only one study, with rates ranging from 0.8 to 3.5 per 100,000 in four different seasons. The case fatality rate among those hospitalized with influenza, as reported by population‐based studies, ranged from 1.3% to 5.6%.ConclusionsSeasonal influenza imposes a significant burden of morbidity on adults 50–64 years of age but with high heterogeneity across seasons and geographic regions. Ongoing surveillance is required to improve estimates of burden to better inform influenza vaccination and other public health policies.     

Influenza A viruses dual and multiple infections with other respiratory viruses and risk of hospitalisation and mortality

Please cite this paper as: Goka et al. (2013) Influenza A viruses dual and multiple infections with other respiratory viruses and risk of hospitalisation and mortality. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 7(6), 1079–1087. Introduction Recent literature suggests that dual or multiple virus infections may affect disease severity. However, few studies have investigated the effect of co‐infection with influenza A viruses. Objectives To identify the association between influenza A and respiratory viruses co‐infections with disease outcome. Methodology Data for samples from North West England tested between January 2007 and June 2011 was analysed for patterns of co‐infection between influenza A viruses and eight respiratory viruses. Risk of hospitalisation to ICU or general ward in single versus co‐infections was assessed using logistic regression. Results Of the 25 596 samples analysed for respiratory viruses 40·7% (10 501) were positive for any virus. Co‐infections were detected in 4·7% (137/2879) of all patients with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, and 7·3% (57/779) of those with other influenza A virus infections. Co‐infection between seasonal influenza A viruses and influenza B virus was associated with a significant increase in the risk of admission to ICU/death (OR: 22·0, 95% CI: 2·21–219·8, P = 0·008). Respiratory syncytial virus/influenza A (RSV/Flu A) co‐infection also increased this risk but was not statistically significant. For influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, RSV and AdV co‐infection increased risk of hospitalisation to general ward whereas Flu B increased risk of admission to ICU, but none of these were statistically significant. Conclusion Co‐infection is a significant predictor of disease outcome; combined treatment, introduction of an integrated vaccine for all respiratory viruses and development of multi‐target rapid diagnostic tests is recommended. Integration of respiratory viruses’ co‐infections into public health reports could also contribute to the accumulation of evidence.     

Symptoms and recovery among adult outpatients with and without COVID‐19 at 11 healthcare facilities—July 2020, United States

BackgroundSymptoms of mild COVID‐19 illness are non‐specific and may persist for prolonged periods. Effects on quality of life of persistent poor physical or mental health associated with COVID‐19 are not well understood.MethodsAdults aged ≥18 years with laboratory‐confirmed COVID‐19 and matched control patients who tested negative for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection at outpatient facilities associated with 11 medical centers in the United States were interviewed to assess symptoms, illness duration, and health‐related quality of life. Duration of symptoms, health‐related quality of life measures, and days of poor physical health by symptoms experienced during illness were compared between case patients and controls using Wilcoxon rank‐sum tests. Symptoms associated with COVID‐19 case status were evaluated by multivariable logistic regression.ResultsAmong 320 participants included, 157 were COVID‐19 cases and 163 were SARS‐CoV‐2 negative controls. Loss of taste or smell was reported by 63% of cases and 6% of controls and was strongly associated with COVID‐19 in logistic regression models (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 32.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 12.6‐83.1). COVID‐19 cases were more likely than controls to have experienced fever, body aches, weakness, or fatigue during illness, and to report ≥1 persistent symptom more than 14 days after symptom onset (50% vs 32%, P < .001). Cases reported significantly more days of poor physical health during the past 14 days than controls (P < .01).ConclusionsDifferentiating COVID‐19 from other acute illnesses will require widespread diagnostic testing, especially during influenza seasons. Persistent COVID‐19‐related symptoms may negatively affect quality of life, even among those initially presenting with mild illness.     

Epidemiology and outcome of influenza‐associated infections among hospitalized patients with acute respiratory infections,Egypt national surveillance system, 2016‐2019

IntroductionEgypt has established different types of surveillance systems to monitor influenza activities, early detect outbreaks, and tailor efficient prevention and control strategies. This is the first study to describe epidemiology and outcome of influenza‐associated infections among hospitalized patients using the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS) data, 2016‐2019.MethodsData reported from 284 hospitals all over Egypt were extracted from the NEDSS. Data of hospitalized patients with Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI), 2016‐2019, were included in the analysis. Laboratory testing for influenza by RT‐PCR according to US CDC testing protocol was used to confirm influenza type and subtype.ResultsOverall 46 417 patients hospitalized with ARI were identified, their mean age was 30.9 ± 26 and 52.9% were males. Among 41 512 (89.4%) laboratory‐tested patients, 7167 (17.3%) were positive for one or more types of influenza viruses. Influenza viruses circulated in all ages and throughout the year, with higher rates in winter, late childhood, and middle ages. Mortality from influenza was significantly higher than other causes of ARIs (5.0% vs 3.8%, P < .001), and it was associated with older ages, December‐May, delay in hospital admission, residence in urban and frontier governorates and infection with A/H1N1 virus. The distribution of influenza subtype by time shows alternate pattern between A/H1N1 and H3N2, each subtype peaks every other year with a high peak of A/H1N1 in 2016.ConclusionsThe national Egyptian surveillance succeeded to describe the epidemiology of hospitalized patients with ARIs and influenza in Egypt over time. Surveillance with strain‐specific laboratory testing and annual assessment of associated severity might be useful to guide influenza prevention and control strategies including vaccination and case management.     

The COVID‐19 epidemic in Madagascar: clinical description and laboratory results of the first wave,march‐september 2020

BackgroundFollowing the first detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 in passengers arriving from Europe on 19 March 2020, Madagascar took several mitigation measures to limit the spread of the virus in the country.MethodsNasopharyngeal and/or oropharyngeal swabs were collected from travellers to Madagascar, suspected SARS‐CoV‐2 cases and contact of confirmed cases. Swabs were tested at the national reference laboratory using real‐time RT‐PCR. Data collected from patients were entered in an electronic database for subsequent statistical analysis. All distribution of laboratory‐confirmed cases were mapped, and six genomes of viruses were fully sequenced.ResultsOverall, 26,415 individuals were tested for SARS‐CoV‐2 between 18 March and 18 September 2020, of whom 21.0% (5,553/26,145) returned positive. Among laboratory‐confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2–positive patients, the median age was 39 years (IQR: 28‐52), and 56.6% (3,311/5,553) were asymptomatic at the time of sampling. The probability of testing positive increased with age with the highest adjusted odds ratio of 2.2 [95% CI: 1.9‐2.5] for individuals aged 49 years and more. Viral strains sequenced belong to clades 19A, 20A and 20B indicative of several independent introduction of viruses.ConclusionsOur study describes the first wave of the COVID‐19 in Madagascar. Despite early strategies in place Madagascar could not avoid the introduction and spread of the virus. More studies are needed to estimate the true burden of disease and make public health recommendations for a better preparation to another wave.     

Incidence of medically attended influenza and influenza virus infections confirmed by serology in Ningbo City from 2017–2018 to 2019–2020

ObjectivesIn mainland China, the disease burden of influenza is not yet fully understood. Based on population‐based data, we aimed to estimate incidence rates of medically attended influenza and influenza virus infections in Ningbo City.MethodsWe used data for outpatient acute respiratory illness (OARI) from a platform covering all health and medical institutes in Yingzhou District, Ningbo City. We applied generalized additive regression models to estimate influenza‐associated excess incidence rate of OARI by age. We recruited local residents aged ≥60 years in the autumn of 2019 and conducted follow‐up nearly 9 months later. Every survey, the sera were collected for testing hemagglutination inhibition antibody.ResultsFrom 2017–2018 to 2019–2020, the annual average of influenza‐associated incidence rate of OARI in all ages was 10.9%. The influenza‐associated incidence rate of OARI was the highest in 2017–2018 (16.9%) and the lowest in 2019–2020 (4.8%). Regularly, influenza‐associated incidence rates of OARI were the highest in children aged 5–14 years (range: 44.1–77.6%) and 0–4 years (range: 8.3–46.6%). The annual average of excess OARI incidence rate in all ages was the highest for influenza B/Yamagata (3.9%). The overall incidence rate of influenza infections indicated by serology in elderly people was 21% during the winter season of 2019–2020.ConclusionsWe identified substantial outpatient influenza burden in all ages in Ningbo. Our cohort study limited in elderly people found that this age group had a high risk of seasonal influenza infections. Our study informs the importance of increasing influenza vaccine coverage in high‐risk population including elderly people.     

Impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on respiratory surveillance and explanation of high detection rate of human rhinovirus during the pandemic in the Republic of Korea

BackgroundAfter the detection of the first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in South Korea on January 20, 2019, it has triggered three major outbreaks. To decrease the disease burden of COVID‐19, social distancing and active mask wearing were encouraged, reducing the number of patients with influenza‐like illness and altering the detection rate of influenza and respiratory viruses in the Korea Influenza and Respiratory Viruses Surveillance System (KINRESS). We examined the changes in respiratory viruses due to COVID‐19 in South Korea and virological causes of the high detection rate of human rhinovirus (hRV) in 2020.MethodsWe collected 52 684 oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal swab samples from patients with influenza‐like illness in cooperation with KINRESS from 2016 to 2020. Influenza virus and other respiratory viruses were confirmed using real‐time RT‐PCR. The weekly detection rate was used to compare virus detection patterns.ResultsNon‐enveloped virus (hRV, human bocavirus, and human adenovirus) detection rates during the COVID‐19 pandemic were maintained. The detection rate of hRV significantly increased in 2020 compared with that in 2019 and was negatively correlated with number of COVID‐19‐confirmed cases in 2020. The distribution of strains and genetic characteristics in hRV did not differ between 2019 and 2020.ConclusionsThe COVID‐19 pandemic impacted the respiratory virus detection rate. The extremely low detection rate of enveloped viruses resulted from efforts to prevent the spread of COVID‐19 in South Korea. The high detection rate of hRV may be related to resistance against environmental conditions as a non‐enveloped virus and the long period of viral shedding from patients.     

The burden of influenza among Kenyan pregnant and postpartum women and their infants, 2015–2020

BackgroundIn tropical Africa, data about influenza‐associated illness burden are needed to assess potential benefits of influenza vaccination among pregnant women. We estimated the incidence of influenza among pregnant women and their infants in Siaya County, Kenya.MethodsWe enrolled women at <31 weeks of gestation and conducted weekly follow‐up until 6‐month postpartum to identify acute respiratory illnesses (ARIs). We defined ARI among mothers as reported cough, rhinorrhoea or sore throat and among infants as maternal‐reported cough, difficulty breathing, rhinorrhoea or clinician diagnosis of respiratory illness. We collected nasal/nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs from mothers/infants with ARI and tested for influenza A and B using molecular assays. We calculated antenatal incidence of laboratory‐confirmed influenza among mothers and postnatal incidence among mothers and infants.ResultsDuring June 2015 to May 2020, we analysed data from 3,026 pregnant women at a median gestational age of 16 weeks (interquartile range [IQR], 13, 18) and followed 2,550 infants. Incidence of laboratory‐confirmed influenza during pregnancy (10.3 episodes per 1,000 person‐months [95% confidence interval {CI} 8.6–11.8]) was twofold higher than in the postpartum period (4.0 [95% CI 2.6–5.5]; p < 0.01). Incidence was significantly higher among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected pregnant women (15.6 [95% CI 11.0–20.6] vs. 9.1 [95% CI 7.5–10.8]; p < 0.01). Incidence among young infants was 4.4 (95% CI 3.0–5.9) and similar among HIV‐exposed and HIV‐unexposed infants.ConclusionOur findings suggest a substantial burden of influenza illnesses during pregnancy, with a higher burden among HIV‐infected mothers. Kenyan authorities should consider the value of vaccinating pregnant women, especially if HIV infected.     

Increased risk of rhinovirus infection in children during the coronavirus disease‐19 pandemic

BackgroundCoronavirus disease (COVID‐19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), was first detected in Japan in January 2020 and has spread throughout the country. Previous studies have reported that viral interference among influenza virus, rhinovirus, and other respiratory viruses can affect viral infections at the host and population level.MethodsTo investigate the impact of COVID‐19 on influenza and other respiratory virus infections, we analyzed clinical specimens collected from 2244 patients in Japan with respiratory diseases between January 2018 and September 2020.ResultsThe frequency of influenza and other respiratory viruses (coxsackievirus A and B; echovirus; enterovirus; human coronavirus 229E, HKU1, NL63, and OC43; human metapneumovirus; human parainfluenza virus 1, 2, 3, and 4; human parechovirus; human respiratory syncytial virus; human adenovirus; human bocavirus; human parvovirus B19; herpes simplex virus type 1; and varicella‐zoster virus) was appreciably reduced among all patients during the COVID‐19 pandemic except for that of rhinovirus in children younger than 10 years, which was appreciably increased. COVID‐19 has not spread among this age group, suggesting an increased risk of rhinovirus infection in children.ConclusionsRhinovirus infections should be continuously monitored to understand their increased risk during the COVID‐19 pandemic and viral interference with SARS‐CoV‐2.