Abstract
The 2010 Victorian influenza season was characterized by normal seasonal influenza activity and the dominance of the pandemic A(H1N1) 2009 strain. General Practice Sentinel Surveillance rates peaked at 9.4 ILI cases per 1000 consultations in week 36 for metropolitan practices, and at 10.5 ILI cases per 1000 in the following week for rural practices. Of the 678 ILI cases, 23% were vaccinated, a significantly higher percentage than in previous years. A significantly higher percentage of ILI patients were swabbed in 2010 compared to 2003-2008, but similar to 2009, with a similar percentage being positive for influenza as in previous years. Vaccination rates increased with patient age. Melbourne Medical Deputising Service rates peaked in week 35 at 19.1 ILI cases per 1000 consultations. Of the 1914 cases of influenza notified to the Department of Health, Victoria, 1812 (95%) were influenza A infections - 1001 (55%) pandemic A(H1N1) 2009, 4 (<1%) A(H3N2) and 807 (45%) not subtyped; 88 (5%) were influenza B; and 14 (<1%) were influenza A and B co-infections. The World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza tested 403 isolates of which 261 were positive for influenza, 250 of which were influenza A and 11 were influenza B. Ninety-two per cent of the influenza A viruses were pandemic A(H1N1) 2009, and following antigenic analysis all of these were found to be similar to the current vaccine strain. Three viruses (0.9%) were found to be oseltamivir resistant due to an H275Y mutation in the neuraminidase gene.
Highlights
Provide samples for the characterization of circulating influenza strains in the community to assist in the evaluation of the current season and formulation of the following season’s vaccine;
The pandemic strain continued to be dominant around the world into the 2009/2010 northern hemisphere influenza season and there was considerable interest in the epidemiology of a likely second southern hemisphere pandemic wave during the 2010 influenza season
We summarize the epidemiological findings from the Victorian influenza surveillance system during the 2010 season
Summary
Provide samples for the characterization of circulating influenza strains in the community to assist in the evaluation of the current season and formulation of the following season’s vaccine;. Provide potential for early recognition of new influenza viruses and new or emerging respiratory diseases; and. ILI data suggested a season characterized as higher than normal seasonal activity.[2] The pandemic strain continued to be dominant around the world into the 2009/2010 northern hemisphere influenza season and there was considerable interest in the epidemiology of a likely second southern hemisphere pandemic wave during the 2010 influenza season. We summarize the epidemiological findings from the Victorian influenza surveillance system during the 2010 season
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