Last update:
   30-Jan-2011
 

Arch Hellen Med, 28(1), January-February 2011, 103-105

SHORT COMMUNICATION

Epidemiological surveillance of pandemic H1N1 2009 infections in Northern Greece

G. Gioula,1 A. Melidou,1 M. Exindari,1 D. Chatzidimitriou,2 E. Chatzopoulou,1 E. Diza,2 N. Malisiovas1,2
1National Centre of Influenza for North Greece, Second Laboratory Department, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki,
2First Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece

During April 2009 a novel A(H1N1) influenza virus emerged in Mexico and since then spread worldwide. On 11th June 2009, the World Health Organization declared an ongoing pandemic, caused by the novel influenza virus. Greece had set up an enhanced surveillance system for pandemic H1N1 2009 by 30th April 2009. During the period of study in Northern Greece, April 2009−March 2010, 4,949 pharyngeal swabs were examined from subjects with symptoms suspicious for influenza, of which 1,632 (32.9%) specimens were confirmed as pandemic H1N1 2009 infections. The virus mainly caused mild disease, mostly affecting young adults. The hospitalization rate increased dramatically during November and December 2009, and the death rate from H1N1 was 1.9%.

Key words: A(H1N1) 2009, Epidemiological surveillance, Influenza pandemic.

© Archives of Hellenic Medicine