H1N1 ~ Details from the last yr

Last week’s headline concerning the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic being declared over caught my eye. Is it really officially over?

While looking for a solution to this query or a minimum of details about announcing the top of the pandemic, I got here across comprehensive summary of the H1N1 pandemic In the May 6 issue, I believed I might share a few of an important information with you:

Estimated variety of cases within the U.S. (as of February 2010):

*59 million cases
*265,000 hospitalizations
*12,000 deaths

International information:

*Almost all countries have reported cases
*More than 17,700 deaths amongst laboratory-confirmed cases

Hospitalization rates were highest in those younger than 5 years of age (especially those 1 yr of age and younger) and lowest in those older than 65 years of age. Certain groups were overrepresented amongst those with severe 2009 H1N1 infection. These groups include pregnant women (especially within the 2nd and third trimesters), women who’re lower than 2 weeks postpartum, and patients with immunosuppression or neurological disorders. In addition, severe obesity or morbid obesity has been shown to contribute to the danger of severe or fatal disease.

So the pandemic is over? A World Health Organization expert panel will review the status of the 2009 H1N1 flu later this month or early June. I’ll keep you posted!

WHO Consultation Drafting Committee on Clinical Aspects of Pandemic Influenza (H1N1) 2009,
Clinical features of the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic
N Engl J Med 2010 362: 1708-1719