Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link
Volume 26, Number 5—May 2020
Policy Review

Nonpharmaceutical Measures for Pandemic Influenza in Nonhealthcare Settings—Social Distancing Measures

Min W. Fong1, Huizhi Gao1, Jessica Y. Wong, Jingyi Xiao, Eunice Y.C. Shiu, Sukhyun Ryu, and Benjamin J. CowlingComments to Author 
Author affiliations: University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

Main Article

Table 1

Summary of results for systematic review of literature on nonpharmaceutical interventions for pandemic influenza*

Type of NPI No. studies identified Study designs included Main findings
Isolation
15
Observational, simulation
Isolation has moderate impact in reducing influenza transmission and impact.
Quarantine
16
Intervention study, observational, simulation
Quarantine has general moderate impact in reducing influenza transmission and impact.
Contact tracing
4
Simulation
Combination of contact tracing with other measures (e.g., isolation and quarantine) can reduce influenza transmission and impact; the addition of contact tracing to existing measures might provide only modest benefit but will need substantial resources.
School closure
Planned holiday 28 Observational The transmission of influenza decreases during routine school holidays but might increase after schools reopen.
Reactive closures 16 Observational The effectiveness of reactive school closure varies.
Preemptive closures
13
Observational
Preemptive school closure has moderate impact in reducing influenza transmission.
Workplace measures
18
Intervention study, observational, simulation
Workplace measures are effective; combination with other interventions will further strengthen the effect.
Workplace closures
10
Simulation
Workplace closures might have modest impact in reducing influenza transmission.
Avoiding crowding
3
Observational
Timely and sustained application of measures to avoid crowding might reduce influenza transmission.
*Details of literature review are described in the Appendix.

Main Article

1These first authors contributed equally to this article.

Page created: April 16, 2020
Page updated: April 16, 2020
Page reviewed: April 16, 2020
The conclusions, findings, and opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors' affiliated institutions. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by any of the groups named above.
file_external