Epidemiological characteristics of human coronaviruses among populations with acute respiratory infections: surveillance data from jing'an district, Shanghai, 2024–2025

TL;DR

This study analyzed human coronaviruses in respiratory infections in Shanghai, finding seasonal patterns and high rates in children and the elderly.

Contribution

The study provides updated surveillance data on HCoVs in the post-pandemic period, highlighting subtype-specific trends and co-infections.

Findings

HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-OC43 were the most common subtypes detected.

Children under 14 and adults over 65 were the most susceptible populations.

HCoVs showed seasonal patterns and frequent co-infections with other respiratory viruses.

Abstract

To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of common human coronaviruses (HCoVs) among populations with acute respiratory infections in the post-pandemic period.

Detection data from the 2024–2025 comprehensive acute respiratory infection surveillance in Jing'an District, Shanghai, were analyzed using descriptive epidemiological methods to assess HCoVs' detection rates, demographic and seasonal patterns, co-infections, and their trends relative to influenza and other common respiratory viruses.

A total of 4758 acute respiratory infection cases were included, with an overall detection rate of HCoVs of 4.9% (232/4758). HCoV-NL63 (53.9%, 125/232) and HCoV-OC43 (22.8%, 53/232) were the predominant subtypes. Children under 14 years and adults over 65 years constituted susceptible populations. Different subtypes peaking at different times. HCoV-NL63 was predominant during summer and autumn; HCoV-OC43 in autumn and winter; HCoV-HKU1 in winter and spring; and HCoV-229E was sporadically year-round. Nearly 40% of the detections involved co-infections (38.8%, 90/232), and HCoVs showed alternating and co-circulating trends with other common respiratory viruses.

HCoVs exhibit subtype-specific predominance in different seasons, with frequent co-infections and a substantial burden in children and the elderly, supporting the need for integrated surveillance and targeted protection.

•Human coronaviruses were detected in 4.9% of 4758 acute respiratory infection cases.•Human coronavirus NL63 and OC43 were the predominant subtypes.•Children under fourteen and adults over sixty-five were most susceptible.•Human coronaviruses had subtype-specific seasonal peaks and frequent co-infections.•Emphasizing ongoing surveillance of multiple respiratory pathogens.

Human coronaviruses were detected in 4.9% of 4758 acute respiratory infection cases.

Human coronavirus NL63 and OC43 were the predominant subtypes.

Children under fourteen and adults over sixty-five were most susceptible.

Human coronaviruses had subtype-specific seasonal peaks and frequent co-infections.

Emphasizing ongoing surveillance of multiple respiratory pathogens.

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