N Engl J Med

Baloxavir reduces influenza transmission in households

April 28, 2025

Baloxavir treatment can reduce influenza transmission within households, offering a potential strategy for controlling influenza spread, especially in vulnerable populations.

Study details: This multinational, phase 3b trial assessed the efficacy of single-dose baloxavir in reducing influenza transmission from index patients to household contacts. Influenza-positive patients ages 5 to 64 were randomized to receive baloxavir or placebo within 48 hours of symptom onset. The primary endpoint was transmission of influenza virus by day 5.

Results: Among 1,457 index patients and 2,681 household contacts, transmission of lab-confirmed influenza was significantly lower with baloxavir (9.5%) compared with placebo (13.4%) (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.68; 95.38% confidence interval [CI], 0.50 - 0.93; P = 0.01). However, the incidence of symptomatic transmission wasn’t significantly different (5.8% vs. 7.6%; aOR, 0.75; 95.38% CI, 0.50 - 1.12; P = 0.16). Drug-resistant viruses emerged in 7.2% of baloxavir-treated index patients, but resistant viruses weren't detected in household contacts. No new safety signals were identified.

Source:

Monto AS, et al. (2025, April 23). N Engl J Med. Efficacy of Baloxavir Treatment in Preventing Transmission of Influenza. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40267424/