{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,3]],"date-time":"2026-07-03T00:37:05Z","timestamp":1783039025004,"version":"3.54.6"},"reference-count":21,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"12","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,27]],"date-time":"2025-11-27T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1764201600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Microorganisms"],"abstract":"<jats:p>The epidemiology of respiratory viruses shifted considerably following the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent rollback of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). The initial global containment strategies implemented during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak profoundly altered viral transmission dynamics and circulation patterns. As the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 no longer a public health emergency in May 2023, viral circulation began reverting to pre-pandemic trends. This retrospective observational study examined the evolving epidemiological patterns of respiratory infections during and after the lifting of NPI, assessing associated clinical manifestations and their relationship with patient-specific risk factors. Data were collected from 307 patients tested between October 2021 and December 2024 using a respiratory multiplex PCR at the Rodolphe M\u00e9rieux Laboratory in Lebanon. Results revealed a reemergence of pre-pandemic seasonal trends for most viruses. Rhinovirus remained the most prevalent pathogen, likely due to the absence of a vaccine. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Influenza A resumed their characteristic winter peaks, while human metapneumovirus (HMPV) showed no co-infections, suggesting viral interference. The persistence of Influenza A and SARS-CoV-2 appeared influenced by vaccine coverage, viral mutations, and environmental factors. Multiplex PCR testing proved to be a valuable yet costly tool for both diagnosis and epidemiological surveillance. Overall, this study highlights the importance of continued viral monitoring in the post-NPI period, reflecting both the effectiveness of NPIs in limiting viral spread and the importance of ensuring wider access to advanced diagnostic methods.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/microorganisms13122710","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,27]],"date-time":"2025-11-27T16:31:52Z","timestamp":1764261112000},"page":"2710","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["A New Breath: Dynamics of Respiratory Infections After the Lifting of Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions Related to COVID-19"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"13","author":[{"given":"Rouba","family":"Keyrouz","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Infectious Disease Department, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, H\u00f4tel-Dieu de France, Beirut 1107 2180, Lebanon"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9664-8634","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Bassem","family":"Habr","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Pulmonary and Critical Care Department, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, H\u00f4tel-Dieu de France, Beirut 1107 2180, Lebanon"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0006-0957-6323","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Marianne","family":"Antar Soutou","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Laboratoire Rodolphe M\u00e9rieux Liban, Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph University, Beirut 1004 2020, Lebanon"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sirine","family":"Abou Ismail","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Laboratoire Rodolphe M\u00e9rieux Liban, Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph University, Beirut 1004 2020, Lebanon"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Marianne","family":"Abifadel","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Laboratoire Rodolphe M\u00e9rieux Liban, Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph University, Beirut 1004 2020, Lebanon"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Josette","family":"Najjar-Pellet","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Fondation M\u00e9rieux, Beirut 1100 2050, Lebanon"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Bernard","family":"Gerbaka","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Pediatrics Department, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, H\u00f4tel-Dieu de France, Beirut 1107 2180, Lebanon"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0271-0888","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Elie","family":"Haddad","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Infectious Disease Department, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, H\u00f4tel-Dieu de France, Beirut 1107 2180, Lebanon"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,27]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","unstructured":"WHO (2025, July 25). 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