number and proportion of microbiological samples positive for influenza viruses in the United Kingdom (weekly distribution)
Source: Health Protection Agency, United Kingdom
The document containing this and many other graphics on the epidemiological situation of influenza in the UK is available through the following link:
For several weeks the United Kingdom is facing an alarming epidemic of influenza. Times seem distant international alarm related to the appearance of pandemic influenza virus: the clamor was so great, but now the British are dealing with the epidemic only the national media. Yet, at the time, the virus that causes most cases of illness and death from influenza is always the same A (H1N1) from pigs, first identified in April 2009 in Mexico and the United United States. In addition the same virus is circulating throughout Europe, although with different intensity in different areas, as is clear from the reports of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), which are published every week in Agency site.
data from the United Kingdom , currently in Europe is the area most strongly affected the activity influenza, may be summarized as follows:
- two main circulating influenza viruses: the pandemic virus of swine origin A (H1N1) and B viruses, with the first in a dominant position, as shown in the graph reproduced at the beginning of this post;
- 50 deaths, including 45 from the pandemic virus A (H1N1) viruses and 5 B. Most deaths occurred in young people and children: 5 cases below 5 years, 8 cases in the age group 5-14 years, 33 cases between 15 and 64 years old and 4> ; 64. Of the 48 patients whose data was available on possible risk factors, these were only present in 33 cases (69%) and neurological disorders were most frequently involved (11 cases) and respiratory diseases, including asthma ( 13 cases). Of the 39 subjects of which he was known history of vaccination, 36 were not vaccinated against influenza during the current winter season and 33 out of 34 had not received the pandemic vaccine in 2009;
- 783 patients admitted to ICUs , including 30 aged 0-4 years, 17 aged 5-15 years, 640 of 16-64 years and 96 to 65 years and beyond. These 783 patients occupied 22.5% of the beds of the ICUs nationally available;
- incidence in week 52 showed a decline , but this could simply be distortion induced by the closure of schools for the Christmas holidays, and the fact that some of the sentinel physicians might be on vacation.
British scenario could replicate in other European nations?
do not know, and here you must be careful, because the virus A (H1N1) in 2009 showed a certain lack of homogeneity in behavior and severity between the different geographical areas. It 's true, however, that in the current season, UK was affected by the epidemic influenza first in Europe, as evidenced by the succession of maps available ECDC in the aforementioned site, so what we see now in that nation could reproduce the rest of the continent during the next few weeks.
What we can teach the current flu outbreak in the UK?
I believe that in the first place should teach us all a bit 'of prudence. Maybe last year, especially during and after the pandemic period, someone has underestimated the potential of the new virus from pigs. Some have spoken of alarm crafted to sell vaccines and antiviral speculating about an epidemic created a table. Comparing the declaration WHO pandemic alert (and all subsequent actions) with the apparent kindness shown on the field with the pandemic virus, many have concluded that this winter was not worth getting vaccinated or to promote influenza vaccination in individuals risk. Even in Britain there was a decreased adherence to vaccination. Now things might change in the coming days as the Department of Health is encouraging family physicians to continue vaccinating those at risk if necessary by resorting to the stocks of pandemic vaccine has not been used in 2009, as announced in a press conference on January 6 .
Secondarily, this epidemic has taught us that we should learn to guard well the flu virus. The British health care, it is shown by the weekly reports of the Health Protection Agency, is doing very well and very quickly.
0 comments:
Post a Comment