Influenza Surveillance Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan, September 2017 - February 2018 (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr Nadia ◽  
Saima Dil ◽  
Naveed Ullah Khan ◽  
Rana Jawad Asghar ◽  
Farida Khudaidad Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Sudden Onset ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Influenza Surveillance ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Surveillance Network ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Influenza A H1n1

BACKGROUND Background: Globally 5-10%adults and 20-30%children are affected by influenza annually. Annual epidemics result in 3-5million cases of serious illness and approximately500,000 deaths. In 2008 a sentinel lab-based influenza surveillance network was established in Pakistan in collaboration with CDC having objectives to assess trends of Influenza-like-Illness(ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness(SARI). OBJECTIVE Objectives: To assess burden of disease, identify risk factors, and recommend control measures. METHODS Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted based on influenza surveillance data obtained from NICLP from September 2017 to February 2018.Study was done from the data records and samples of suspected ILI patients received from hospitals of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. A case was defined as sudden onset of fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with onset within last 10 days. Samples were tested at NICLP for confirmation by RT-PCR. Frequencies were calculated and data analyzed as per time, place and person RESULTS Results: A total of 1500 samples were received out of which 435(29%) were found positive. Among positive samples 246(56.5%) were Influenza-A(H1N1) pdm09,165(38%) were Influenza-A(H3N1) and 24(5.5%) were influenza B.Mean age was 39 years(range 40 days-80 years)while maximum cases were reported from age group 30-39 years(n=77)followed by 50-59 years(n=59).Males were predominant 256(58.8%). Among cases, 21(4.8%) healthcare workers. Travel history was found in 21(4.8%) cases while 35(8%) cases had contact with influenza patients and 14(3.2%) had contact with birds. Among positive cases 262(60%) were reported from Rawalpindi. Majority of cases were reported in January (277) followed by February (112). 31.4% met SARI case definition. Median hospital stay was 5days.During hospitalization 124(26.3%) were ICU admissions, out of them 2(0.42%) were on ventilator, 83(17.6%) were mechanically ventilated. Prevalence of influenza in reported cases was 0.01%.Six confirmed cases died with Case Fatality Rate=1.27%. CONCLUSIONS Conclusion Most cases reported were of Influenza-A (H1N1) pdm09. Based on the results, policy for inclusion of flu vaccination on annual basis is recommended for health care providers and general community.

Antigenic and genomic characterization of human influenza A and B viruses circulating in Argentina after the introduction of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09

2014 ◽  
Vol 63 (12) ◽  
pp. 1626-1637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mara L. Russo ◽  
Andrea V. Pontoriero ◽  
Estefania Benedetti ◽  
Andrea Czech ◽  
Martin Avaro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Southern Hemisphere ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Vaccine Virus ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
World Health ◽  
Influenza Surveillance ◽  
Human Influenza ◽  
Surveillance Network ◽  
Influenza A H1n1 ◽  
Health Organization

This study was conducted as part of the Argentinean Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses Surveillance Network, in the context of the Global Influenza Surveillance carried out by the World Health Organization (WHO). The objective was to study the activity and the antigenic and genomic characteristics of circulating viruses for three consecutive seasons (2010, 2011 and 2012) in order to investigate the emergence of influenza viral variants. During the study period, influenza virus circulation was detected from January to December. Influenza A and B, and all current subtypes of human influenza viruses, were present each year. Throughout the 2010 post-pandemic season, influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, unexpectedly, almost disappeared. The haemagglutinin (HA) of the A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses studied were segregated in a different genetic group to those identified during the 2009 pandemic, although they were still antigenically closely related to the vaccine strain A/California/07/2009. Influenza A(H3N2) viruses were the predominant strains circulating during the 2011 season, accounting for nearly 76 % of influenza viruses identified. That year, all HA sequences of the A(H3N2) viruses tested fell into the A/Victoria/208/2009 genetic clade, but remained antigenically related to A/Perth/16/2009 (reference vaccine recommended for this three-year period). A(H3N2) viruses isolated in 2012 were antigenically closely related to A/Victoria/361/2011, recommended by the WHO as the H3 component for the 2013 Southern Hemisphere formulation. B viruses belonging to the B/Victoria lineage circulated in 2010. A mixed circulation of viral variants of both B/Victoria and B/Yamagata lineages was detected in 2012, with the former being predominant. A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses remained antigenically closely related to the vaccine virus A/California/7/2009; A(H3N2) viruses continually evolved into new antigenic clusters and both B lineages, B/Victoria/2/87-like and B/Yamagata/16/88-like viruses, were observed during the study period. The virological surveillance showed that the majority of the circulating strains during the study period were antigenically related to the corresponding Southern Hemisphere vaccine strains except for the 2012 A(H3N2) viruses.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Veneral syphilis among youth aged between 18-35 years attending Kisenye Health Centre IV, Kampala district.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Ronald Magezi
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Treponema Pallidum ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Predisposing Factors ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Common Disease ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Cross Sectional

ABSTRACT Background: Syphilis is an infection caused by a spirochete Treponema pallidum transmitted by direct contact with a syphilitic sore on the skin and in mucous membrane. The study was under taken to determine the prevalence of venereal syphilis among youth aged between 18- 35years, it also assessed the predisposing factors, prevention and control measures of venereal syphilis Methodology: This was a cross sectional study conducted among 96 respondents in Kisenyi Health Centre IV between the month of January and February 2020. Simple random sampling method was used to select the 96 respondents where by the respondents were selected by the first come first serve basis. Questionnaire interview schedule was used for data collection, Venous blood was collected and the Treponema pallidum hem-agglutination assay test kits were used in the diagnosis. Results: Out of the 96 respondents who were enrolled in the study 20(20.8%) were males and 76(76.2%) were females. Majority of the respondents who were affected were females 04(4.2%) in the age (18-35). The most predisposing factors to venereal syphilis was Ignorance, the use of drugs, poverty, co-infection, little knowledge about the use of a condom, as well as urban residence were also revealed to be some of the predisposing factors to acquire the disease. Conclusion: the prevalence of venereal syphilis in kisenyi health centre IV was found to be higher among the youth especially between the age of 18-25 years. Recommendations: The health care providers should do thorough assessment to address common disease especially cases of venereal syphilis among the youth between 18-35 years.

scholarly journals The Fever Coach Mobile App for Participatory Influenza Surveillance in Children: Usability Study

10.2196/14276 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. e14276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myeongchan Kim ◽  
Sehyo Yune ◽  
Seyun Chang ◽  
Yuseob Jung ◽  
Soon Ok Sa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Time Lag ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Influenza Surveillance ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Surveillance Network ◽  
Influenza Activity

Background Effective surveillance of influenza requires a broad network of health care providers actively reporting cases of influenza-like illnesses and positive laboratory results. Not only is this traditional surveillance system costly to establish and maintain but there is also a time lag between a change in influenza activity and its detection. A new surveillance system that is both reliable and timely will help public health officials to effectively control an epidemic and mitigate the burden of the disease. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the use of parent-reported data of febrile illnesses in children submitted through the Fever Coach app in real-time surveillance of influenza activities. Methods Fever Coach is a mobile app designed to help parents and caregivers manage fever in young children, currently mainly serviced in South Korea. The app analyzes data entered by a caregiver and provides tailored information for care of the child based on the child’s age, sex, body weight, body temperature, and accompanying symptoms. Using the data submitted to the app during the 2016-2017 influenza season, we built a regression model that monitors influenza incidence for the 2017-2018 season and validated the model by comparing the predictions with the public influenza surveillance data from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). Results During the 2-year study period, 70,203 diagnosis data, including 7702 influenza reports, were submitted. There was a significant correlation between the influenza activity predicted by Fever Coach and that reported by KCDC (Spearman ρ=0.878; P<.001). Using this model, the influenza epidemic in the 2017-2018 season was detected 10 days before the epidemic alert announced by KCDC. Conclusions The Fever Coach app successfully collected data from 7.73% (207,699/2,686,580) of the target population by providing care instruction for febrile children. These data were used to develop a model that accurately estimated influenza activity measured by the central government agency using reports from sentinel facilities in the national surveillance network.

scholarly journals Knowledge, attitudes, anxiety, and preventive behaviours towards COVID-19 among health care providers in Yemen: an online cross-sectional survey

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gamil Ghaleb Alrubaiee ◽  
Talal Ali Hussein Al-Qalah ◽  
Mohammed Sadeg A. Al-Aawar
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Providers ◽  
News Media ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Moderate Level ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Background: The growing incidence of coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to cause fear, anxiety, and panic amongst the community, especially for healthcare providers (HCPs), as the most vulnerable group at risk of contracting this new SARS-CoV-2 infection. To protect and enhance the ability of HCPs to perform their role in responding to COVID-19, healthcare authorities must help to alleviate the level of stress and anxiety amongst HCPs and the community. This will improve the knowledge, attitude and practice towards COVID-19, especially for HCPs. In addition, authorities need to comply in treating this virus by implementing control measures and other precautions. This study explores the knowledge, attitude, anxiety, and preventive behaviours among Yemeni HCPs towards COVID-19. Methods: A descriptive, web-based-cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,231 Yemeni HCPs. The COVID-19 related questionnaire was designed using Google forms where the responses were coded and analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software package (IBM SPSS), version 22.0. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation coefficient test were also employed in this study. A p-value of < 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval was considered as statistically significant. The data collection phase commenced on 22nd April 2020, at 6 pm and finished on 26th April 2020 at 11 am. Results: The results indicated that from the 1,231 HCPs participating in this study, 61.6% were male, and 67% were aged between 20 and 30 years with a mean age of 29.29 ±6.75. Most (86%) held a bachelor’s degree or above having at least 10 years of work experience or less (88.1%). However, while 57.1% of the respondents obtained their information via social networks and news media, a further 60.0% had never attended lectures/discussions about COVID-19. The results further revealed that the majority of respondents had adequate knowledge, optimistic attitude, moderate level of anxiety, and high-performance in preventive behaviours, 69.8%, 85.10%, 51.0 and 87.70%, respectively, towards COVID-19. Conclusion: Although the Yemeni HCPs exhibited an adequate level of knowledge, optimism, attitude, moderate level of anxiety, and high-performance in preventive behaviours toward COVID-19, the results highlighted gaps, particularly in their knowledge and attitude towards COVID-19.

scholarly journals KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND PRACTICES TOWARDS COVID-19 AMONG RESIDENTS IN HAIL CITY, SAUDI ARABIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

2020 ◽  
pp. 147-152
Author(s):  
FARHAN ALSHAMMARI ◽  
TURKI ALHAGBANI ◽  
AHMED ALAFNAN ◽  
KHALID ALMANSOUR ◽  
KASHIFULLAH KHAN
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Preventive Practices ◽  
Knowledge Questionnaire ◽  
Appropriate Practices ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Objective: Immense measures were taken to monitor the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Saudi Arabia. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) against COVID-19 influence a resident’s commitment to these control measures. The objective of the study was to investigate the KAP of Saudi residents toward COVID-19 during the increasingly growing outbreak period. Methods: Through the authors’ network with residents in Hail city and the northern region of Saudi Arabia, an online sample was successfully carried out among Saudi residents. The participants completed an established and validated online KAP questionnaire. The knowledge questionnaire consisted of 16 questions regarding the clinical characteristics and prevention of COVID-19. Assessments of attitudes and practices of the residents toward COVID-19, included questions on confidence in controlling the COVID-19 outbreak, going to crowded places and wearing facemasks when going out in recent days. Results: A total of 285 participants took part in the survey questionnaire, of these 54.7% were women, 68.4% held a bachelor’s degree, and 47.7% were engaged in an occupation other than health-care providers. The overall correct rate of the knowledge questionnaire was 65%. The majority of the respondents (66%) reported that they had confirmed the information obtained from different media sources, where nearly 78.3% of respondents agreed that COVID-19 can be successfully controlled. Furthermore, about 92.3% of the participants avoided going out to crowded places, whereas only 41.1% wore facemasks when going out in recent days. A statistically significant association (p=0.0001) was found on analysis of the COVID-19 knowledge score, with a lower likelihood of negative attitudes and preventive practices toward COVID-2019. Conclusion: The majority of Hail city residents are familiar with COVID-19 in both genders, hold optimistic attitudes, and have appropriate practices toward COVID-19. Health education programs designed to enhance COVID-19 awareness are beneficial for Saudi residents to maintain positive attitudes and appropriate practices.

scholarly journals Pandemic Influenza A(H1N1) in Cote d'Ivoire: health-care providers’ knowledge of influenza and attitudes towards vaccination

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (07) ◽  
pp. 499-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daouda Coulibaly ◽  
Ndahwouh T Nzussouo ◽  
Hervé A Kadjo ◽  
Youssouf Traoré ◽  
Daniel K Ekra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Cote D'ivoire ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Côte D’Ivoire ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Cote D’Ivoire ◽  
Côte D'ivoire ◽  
Influenza A H1n1

Introduction: During the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic (pH1N1), different methods were promoted to reduce the spread of influenza, including respiratory etiquette and vaccination. To identify knowledge gaps about influenza and to plan the vaccination campaign against the pandemic in Côte d’Ivoire, a survey was conducted among health-care providers (HCPs) to assess their knowledge about influenza and their willingness to be vaccinated. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was performed in the city of Abidjan on 16-18 February 2010, in the three university teaching hospitals, a randomly selected general hospital, and two randomly selected private clinics. In face-to-face interviews, 383 health-care professionals were asked questions about their knowledge of influenza, means of influenza prevention, and their willingness to be vaccinated. Data analysis, both univariate and multivariate, was performed using SPSS. Results: Willingness to be vaccinated against pH1N1 was 80% (n = 284), and 83% of the HCPs would recommend the vaccine to others. The respiratory mode of transmission of influenza was known by 85% (n = 295) of the participants and 50% (n = 174) believed that seasonal influenza virus and pH1N1 virus were different. In a multivariate model, the factors significantly associated with willingness to receive pH1N1vaccine were fear of pH1N1 disease (OR = 2.1; IC = 1.02-4.35), having only a high school education (OR = 8.28; IC = 2.04-33.60), and feeling at risk to contract pH1N1 (OR = 11.43; IC = 4.77-27.38). Conclusion: The willingness to be vaccinated against influenza A (H1N1) by health professionals is real.

scholarly journals Mortality profile of confirmed cases of swine flu attending a tertiary care center of Udaipur region of Rajasthan, India

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 906
Author(s):  
Yogesh Kumar Singhal ◽  
Nitin Kothari
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Cardiovascular Diseases ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Swine Flu ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Influenza A H1n1

Background: Mortality profile is an analytical tool used to identify the various factors responsible for poor outcome of disease and it can also use to evaluate quality and efficiency of healthcare providers. The aim of this study is to summarise the clinical and epidemiological factors as well as to identify the risk factors associated with mortality among swine flu cases.Methods: It is a cross-sectional, descriptive, hospital-based study conducted on 62 deceased patients due to swine flu reported at Maharana Bhupal Government Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan during the outbreak of influenza A H1N1 in the year 2015. A standardized pre-structured questionnaire with consent was filled by help of bed head tickets and by interview of attendants of deceased patients.Results: Deaths were higher among age group of 31-45 years (35.48%). Case fatality rate for male patients (13.88%) was higher. Mortality was highest in females of rural background 27(43.55%). Majority of deceased patients (70.97%) had delay of 4-7 days in admission after onset of symptoms. Diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and pregnancy was the major risk factors for poor outcome.Conclusions: Delay in diagnosis and admission may be the reason for higher mortality rate. The most common co morbid illness was Diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases (Ischemic heart disease, Rheumatic heart disease, Hypertension) and pregnancy.

scholarly journals Laboratory based Influenza sentinel surveillance in Pakistan At NIC, Islamabad 2007-2017

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
F Bashir ◽  
K Fawad Khan ◽  
S Zafar Qureshi ◽  
F Khaudaidad ◽  
R Sonia
Keyword(s):  
Influenza A ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Sudden Onset ◽  
Sentinel Surveillance ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
H3n2 Virus ◽  
Influenza Surveillance ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
Pandemic Preparedness ◽  
Influenza A H1n1

Abstract Background A country-wide lab-based surveillance system for ILI and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) with weekly sampling and reporting was established in 2008.This system was necessary for early detection of emerging novel influenza subtypes and timely response for influenza prevention and control. Objectives To assess the trends of Influenza-like-Illness(ILI) and to monitor the predominant circulating strains of influenza viruses through Lab based sentinel surveillance. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted based on ten years (2007-2017) influenza surveillance data obtained from National Influenza Central Laboratory Pakistan (NICLP) from January to March 2018.Study was done from the data records and samples of suspected ILI patients and SARI patients received from all seven sentinel sites. An ILI case was defined as sudden onset of fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with onset within last 10 days, while patients with sudden onset of fever (&gt;38 °C), cough/sore throat requiring hospital admission within 7 days were termed as SARI. Samples were tested at NICLP for confirmation of virus, typing and subtyping by RT-PCR. Results A total of 15885 samples were analyzed during ten years period, out of which 3475(21.9%) were found positive for influenza virus. Among positive samples 26(0.75%) were Influenza-A (H1N1), 550(38%) were A/H3N1,550(15.9%) were A/H3N1,1587(45.7%) were A/H1N1 pdm09and 1312(37.8%) were influenza B. Males were predominant(54%).Influenza Maximum cases were reported from age group 01-&gt;12 years(66%).Virus circulation was detected throughout the year along with few cases of seasonal A/H1N1 virus during late winter(January February) and spring(March). Influenza A/H3N2 virus circulation was mainly observed during summer months (August-October). Conclusions The findings of this study emphasize the need for continuous and comprehensive influenza surveillance to predict seasonal trends for vaccine development and to further fortify pandemic preparedness. Key messages The need for continuous and comprehensive influenza surveillance. Public health importance by pandemic preparedness.

scholarly journals Profile of the first cases hospitalized due to Influenza A (H1N1) in Panama City, Panama. May-June 2009.

2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (11) ◽  
pp. 811-816 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felicia Tulloch ◽  
Ricardo Correa ◽  
Gladys Guerrero ◽  
Rigoberto Samaniego ◽  
Mariana Garcia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
The United States ◽  
Adult Health ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Panama City ◽  
Influenza A H1n1 ◽  
Level Institution

Introduction: In April 2009, a novel influenza A (H1N1) virus was identified in patients from Mexico and the United States.  From 8 May through 25 June 2009, in the Republic of Panama, 467 cases infected with the same virus were identified, 13 of which were hospitalized at the Santo Tomas Hospital in Panama City. Up to the date of this report, no deaths have been reported in Panama. This study presents the first thirteen cases of Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 that were hospitalized in Panama City. Methodology: The Santo Tomas Hospital (HST), a third-level institution of the Ministry of Health (MINSA) for adult health care (patients above the age of 14), was designated as the reference center for treating these cases. For this purpose, the norms and criteria established by the system were followed and every patient (case) presenting flu-like symptoms was included (fever equal or greater than 38ºC (100.4ºF), cough, sore throat, rhinorrhea, lethargy in children under the age of one, and respiratory distress). Results: Seventy-six patients were hospitalized as suspected cases for infection with the influenza A H1N1 2009 virus, of which 13 (17.1%) were confirmed as positive. The clinical picture was characterized by fever (100%), cough (92.3%), rhinorrhea (69.2%), malaise (53.8%), headache (53.8%), and only one case presented gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhoea).  The male:female ratio was 1:2.2. Conclusion:  The knowledge and technology translation previously acquired through courses to the HST health care providers were the key in controlling the first influenza A (H1N1) 2009 cases.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document