title: Influenza A(H1N1)2009 in the French Pacific territories: assessment of the epidemic wave during the austral winter.
abstract: The three French territories in the Pacific (New Caledonia [NC], French Polynesia [FP] and Wallis and Futuna [WF]) have been affected by an outbreak of influenza A(H1N1)2009 during the austral winter of 2009. This wave of influenza-like illness was characterized by a short duration (approximately 8 weeks) and high attack rates: 16-18% in NC and FP, 28% in Wallis and 38% in Futuna. The number of infected patients requiring hospitalization in critical care services and the number of deaths were, respectively, 21 and 10 in NC and 13 and 7 in FP (none in WF). Diabetes, cardiac and pulmonary diseases, obesity in adults, neuromuscular diseases in children, and Oceanic origin were frequently observed among severe cases and deaths. A significant proportion of the population remains susceptible to A(H1N1)2009, making the occurrence of a second wave likely. A state of preparedness and control efforts must be implemented, based on preventive measures (immunization), as well as combined clinical and virological surveillance and health organization.
authors.affiliation: The French Institute for Public Health Surveillance, Saint-Maurice, France.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Barboza
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baudon
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chérié-Challine
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gastellu-Etchegorry
authors.forename: Juliette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gueguen
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: La Ruche
authors.forename: Jean-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Grangeon
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Laumond-Barny
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Noël
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pfannstiel
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chee-Ayee
authors.forename: Elise
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Daudens
authors.forename: Eddy
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Frogier
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Le
authors.forename: Henri-Pierre
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Mallet
authors.forename: Jean-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Pescheux
authors.forename: Hervé
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vergeaud
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lastère
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dutaut
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Yvon
mesh_terms: D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D009510:New Caledonia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011114:Polynesia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons