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

OBJECTIVE

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

METHODS

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.

RESULTS

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.

CONCLUSIONS

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.