Abstract

Background: In April 2009, a new strain of influenza virus, A H1N1, started to spread in various parts of the world, and [1] the first case was reported on May 16, 2009. The associated morbidity and mortality have made it a major health burden. In this study, we have investigated samples of patients with suspected influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) received at civil hospital, Ahmedabad, from January 1, 2015 to March 15, 2015.
Objective: To study the epidemiologic and virologic profiles of patients found positive for influenza A H1N1 at a tertiary-care hospital.
Materials and Methods: Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab specimens from patients presenting with ILI were received and subjected to real time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR) for detection and characterization of swine influenza and other seasonal influenza. Result: Of the 6,197 specimens tested, 3,242 and 866 yielded swine H1N1 and seasonal influenza virus, respectively. Most specimens were received from children aged <10 years (22.8%). Among those with confirmed swine H1N1 infection, 1,679 (51.79%) were female subjects. Conclusion: The high proportion of respiratory specimens positive for influenza A H1N1 was owing to higher transmissi - bility of H1N1 than other seasonal influenza viruses. The age distribution of cases of influenza A H1N1 infection suggests that children and young adults could be targeted for interventions to reduce transmission during an influenza pandemic.