[Epidemiological survey of confirmed influenza A [H1N1] in Kashan, Aran and Bidgol cities during 2009-10]

ABSTRACT

The first outbreak of Influenza A [H1N1], the first pandemic influenza in the present century, in Iran was in Kashan in July 2009. This study was carried out to describe the stages of spread and also the outcome of influenza A [H1N1] in terms of incidence and death in Kashan, Aran and Bidgol cities during 2009-10. In this case series-study of confirmed influenza A [H1N1], clinical and demographic data of all confirmed cases were recorded using SPSS software and were analyzed by Mann-Whitney test. The total number of confirmed cases [mean and median of age were 29.8 +/- 18.7 and 26 years, respectively] was 86 with a male/female ratio of 11. Among the 7 cases who died [mortality rate 8.1%] the mean age for death was 46.9 +/- 27.9 years, though greater than that of the recovered cases [30.01 +/- 18.1 years], but non-significant statistically. Beginning of new educational year for schools was identified as the most important factor in spread of the disease. Considering the mortality rate and other related variables, no significant difference was seen between Kashan, Aran and Bidgol cities compared to other countries. However, comparing the present findings with the findings of other domestic medical universities can disclose the reasons for disparities. Moreover, a 10 week time interval between the first outbreak and the peak for pandemy highlights the presence of an efficient surveillance system for disease control