Many countries are currently experiencing the second or third wave of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. Countries in the Northern Hemisphere are also facing the threat of seasonal influenza epidemics in cold winter. However, findings on the potential interference of COVID-19 and influenza infections remain controversial to date. A hypothesis has been raised that influenza infection or influenza vaccination could lower the risk of subsequent COVID-19 infections due to non-specific immunity by virus interference. But some studies also reported that co-infection of influenza could increase the mortality risk of COVID-19 patients. Moreover, studies are limited to explore how social distancing and other public health measures for containment of the COVID-19 pandemic affect the seasonal influenza epidemics in many countries.

The goal of this Research Topic is to encourage the laboratory, epidemiological and modeling studies on the potential interference of COVID-19 and influenza viruses, at both the individual and population levels. This Research Topic expected to collect the scientific evidence to guide the response plan for combating the merged waves of COVID-19 pandemic and seasonal influenza epidemics.

Specific themes under this Research Topic to be included, but not limited to, are listed below:
• The regional and global disease burden caused by the merged wave of COVID-19 outbreaks and seasonal influenza epidemics;
• The molecular mechanisms of potential virus interference between COVID-19 and influenza in animal models and human hosts;
• The potential benefit of nonspecific immunity from natural influenza infections or influenza vaccination;
• The impact of social distancing and other public health measures on timing and magnitude of seasonal influenza epidemics.

The article types that Topic Editors welcome include original research articles of laboratory, epidemiological and modeling studies; systematic reviews; correspondence and commentaries.

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Frontiers in Public Health

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