Effects of Dust Event Days on Influenza: Evidence from Arid Environments in Lanzhou

Airborne aerosol is believed to be an important pathway for infectious disease transmissions like COVID-19 and influenza. However, the effects of dust event days on influenza have been rarely explored, particularly in arid environments. This study explores ambient particulate matter (PM) events laboratory-confirmed a semi-arid city. A descriptive analysis daily (influenza) cases, PM (PM10 PM2.5), meteorological parameters, were conducted from 2014 2019 Lanzhou, China. The case-crossover design combined with conditional Poisson regression models was used estimate lagging In addition, hierarchical model quantitatively evaluate interactive effect temperature absolute humidity We found that had significant PM10 PM2.5 became stronger as cumulative lag increased. greatest estimated relative risks (RRs) 1.018 (1.011,1.024) 1.06 1(1.034,1.087), respectively. Compared non-dust days, duration ≥ 1 day 2 strongest at lag0 day, RRs 1.245 (95% CI: 1.061-1.463) 1.483 1.232-1.784), Subgroup showed pre-school children school-aged more sensitive exposure. Besides, we also low interaction aggravate risk summary, exposure may increase influenza, increases duration. Therefore, efforts government well individuals should strengthened reduce cold dry weather.