Epidemiology of influenza-like illness during pandemic (H1N1) 2009, New South Wales, Australia

Authors

David Muscatello, New South Wales Department of Health
Margo Barr, University of WollongongFollow
Sarah Thackway, New South Wales Department of Health
C. Raina Maclntyre, University of New South Wales

RIS ID

40870

Publication Details

Muscatello, D. J., Barr, M., Thackway, S. V. & Maclntyre, C. (2011). Epidemiology of influenza-like illness during pandemic (H1N1) 2009, New South Wales, Australia. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 17 (7), 1240-1247.

Abstract

To rapidly describe the epidemiology of infl uenza-like illness (ILI) during the 2009 winter epidemic of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus in New South Wales, Australia, we used results of a continuous population health survey. During July–September 2009, ILI was experienced by 23% of the population. Among these persons, 51% were unable to undertake normal duties for <3 days, 55% sought care at a general practice, and 5% went to a hospital. Factors independently associated with ILI were younger age, daily smoking, and obesity. Effectiveness of prepandemic seasonal vaccine was ≈20%. The high prevalence of risk factors associated with a substantially increased risk for ILI deserves greater recognition.