Abstract
BackgroundTo guide policy and control measures, decent scientific data are needed for a comprehensive assessment of epidemiological, clinical and virological characteristics of the First Few hundred (FF100) cases. We discuss the feasibility of the FF100 approach during the 2009 pandemic and the added value compared with alternative data sources available.MethodsThe pandemic preparedness plan enabled us to perform a case–control study, assessing patient characteristics and risk factors for experiencing symptomatic influenza A(H1N1)2009 infection and providing insight into transmission. We assessed to what extent timely and novel data were generated compared to other available data sources.ResultsIn May-December 2009, a total of 68 cases and 48 controls were included in the study. Underlying non-respiratory diseases were significantly more common among cases compared to controls, while a protective effect was found for frequent hand washing. Seroconversion was found for 7/30 controls (23%), and persisting high titers for 4/30 controls (13%). The labour-intensive study design resulted in slow and restricted recruitment.ConclusionsThe findings of our case–control study gave new insights in transmission risks and possible interventions for improved control. Nevertheless, the FF100 approach lacked timeliness and power due to limited recruitment. For future pandemics we suggest pooling data from several countries, to enable collecting sufficient data in a relatively short period.
Highlights
To guide policy and control measures, decent scientific data are needed for a comprehensive assessment of epidemiological, clinical and virological characteristics of the First Few hundred (FF100) cases
The FF100 cases and contacts approach is discussed in terms of the feasibility during the 2009 pandemic and the added scientific value compared with alternative data sources available
The study started in June 2009, and was performed by the Centre for Infectious Disease Control (CIb) of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), in collaboration with Public Health Services (PHS), a network of academic medical centres and the network of general practitioners (GPs) from the Continuous Morbidity Registration Sentinel General Practice Network of the Netherlands institute for health services research (NIVEL)
Summary
To guide policy and control measures, decent scientific data are needed for a comprehensive assessment of epidemiological, clinical and virological characteristics of the First Few hundred (FF100) cases. We discuss the feasibility of the FF100 approach during the 2009 pandemic and the added value compared with alternative data sources available. The worldwide increase in the incidence of influenza caused by avian influenza viruses since 1997, both in poultry and humans, introduced the potential for another influenza pandemic and the need for pandemic preparedness plans [1,2,3,4]. Comprehensive assessment of the First Few Hundred (FF100) cases to timely characterise clinical, virological and epidemiological features and for risk factor information is an important part of these plans. The FF100 cases and contacts approach is discussed in terms of the feasibility during the 2009 pandemic and the added scientific value compared with alternative data sources available. We will go into the difficulties of performing this approach real time and the lessons learned
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
