Positive effects of COVID-19 control measures on influenza prevention

•Influenza virus transmission may be stopped while fighting the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak.•Influenza cases decreased dramatically following the application of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) control measures.•Other respiratory infectious diseases may also be prevented to some extent while fighting the pandemic of COVID-19. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has now become a pandemic threat to the whole world. At the same time, influenza virus has been active, with influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 sharing the same transmission routes. This article aims to alert clinicians of the presence of co-infection with these two viruses and to describe the effect of the measures taken to fight COVID-19 on influenza prevention and control.