2320. The Role of Ultraviolet Light, Atmospheric Ozone, and Humidity in Influenza Activity

BACKGROUND: The interaction between influenza activity and environemental factor such as ultraviolet light index (UVI), atmospheric ozone (AO), and other related meteorological variables remains poorly understood. In the midst of climate change and increasingly poor performance of influenza vaccination, more information on influenza activity and its interaction with meteorological variables is critically needed. METHODS: Influenza A and B tests results by PCR from respiratory sources were collected from two large hospitals in Phoenix, AZ and Jacksonville, FL from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2017. Publicly available meteorological data for each location was obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. We excluded cases residing beyond 0.5° of longitude and latitude radius of the given meteorological data. A weekly index activity and maximum weekly values of meteorological variables were matched, and performed a correlation and regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 5,238 influenza tests were performed during the study period. The influenza index showed an statistically significant weakly positive correlation with maximum CSUVI (r = 0.14; P = 0.0227) and mean zenith (r = 0.17; P = 0.0047). An statistically significant, positive correlation was observed between influenza index and atmospheric ozone (r = 0.23; P = 0.0001). Significant negative correlations were also observed with DBT, DPT, RH and HI (r = −0.27, r = −0.39, r = −0.13, r = −0.33, respectively; P < 0.04). The influenza index showed significant interactions in a univariate linear regression (Table 1). A relationship between influenza index and dew point temperature was observed in a multivariate model (OR = 0.66; CI95% 0.44–0.97). CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing a significant interactions between influenza index, UVI and atmospheric ozone in two geographically distant locations. Further studies are needed to define the role of complex climatological patterns and influenza. [Image: see text] DISCLOSURES: All authors: No reported disclosures.