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Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Pandemic in Fars Province: A Report from Southern Iran, July-December 2009

AUTHORS

M Moghadami 1 , P Afsar Kazeroni 1 , B Honarvar 1 , M Ebrahimi 1 , H Bakhtiari 1 , MA Akbarpour 1 , HR Tabatabaee 2 , AR Mirahmadizadeh 3 , A Rezaianzadeh 3 , J Hasanzadeh 1 , N Zamiri 4 , B Sabayan 1 , A Moattari 1 , A Emami 1 , KB Lankarani ORCID 5 , *

1 Deputy of Health, Health Policy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Fars, Iran

2 Department of Epidemiology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran

3 Department of Epidemiology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Fars

4 Health Policy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran

5 Professor of Gastroenterohepatology Research Center, Health Policy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, [email protected], Fars, Iran

How to Cite: Moghadami M, Afsar Kazeroni P, Honarvar B, Ebrahimi M, Bakhtiari H, et al. Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Pandemic in Fars Province: A Report from Southern Iran, July-December 2009, Iran Red Crescent Med J. Online ahead of Print ; 12(3):231-238.

ARTICLE INFORMATION

Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal: 12 (3); 231-238
Article Type: Research Article
Received: June 20, 2009
Accepted: October 19, 2009

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Abstract

Background: Influenza type A (H1N1) virus is considered as a major concern for health care system all over the world and imposes a considerable burden on the community. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of the disease in order to help health administrators in making decision for preventive measures.

 

Methods: 297 definite cases of influenza A (H1N1) diagnosed from 15 July to 3 December 2009 in Fars province, south of Iran, were included in this study. Diagnosis was confirmed performing Real time-PCR. The patients' information including age, gender, occupation, nationality, education, residency area and history of overseas or domestic travel, history of contact with other influenza patients, and symptoms were collected and analyzed.

 

Results: The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 24.4±15.8 years. 76 (25.6%) patients were admitted in the hospitals, of whom, 11 cases died due to related influenza complications with Case Fatality Ratio (CFR) of 4.4%.  The most common reported symptoms were fever, cough and sore throat. There were two waves in the disease incidence, one about 1 month after emergence of the disease and another around 1 month after school openings. The first peak was observed mainly among adults with a history of foreign travel while the second peak was mainly observed among school students.

 

Conclusion: The magnitude of the epidemic was much higher when the disease was transmitted between students at the beginning of the school year. Considering the high incidence of H1N1 flu among the students (41%), vaccination programs and preventive measures should target this age group.

Keywords

H1N1 influenza Incidence Mortality Comorbidity Iran

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