Influenza A(H1N1)2009 in the French Pacific territories: assessment of the epidemic wave during the austral winter.
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.
The French Institute for Public Health Surveillance, Saint-Maurice, France.
Barboza
Philippe
P
Baudon
Claire
C
Chérié-Challine
Laurence
L
Gastellu-Etchegorry
Marc
M
Gueguen
Juliette
J
La Ruche
Guy
G
Grangeon
Jean-Paul
JP
Laumond-Barny
Sylvie
S
Noël
Martine
M
Pfannstiel
Anne
A
Chee-Ayee
Antonio
A
Daudens
Elise
E
Frogier
Eddy
E
Le
Bernard
B
Mallet
Henri-Pierre
HP
Pescheux
Jean-Paul
JP
Vergeaud
Hervé
H
Lastère
Stéphane
S
Dutaut
Elisabeth
E
Yvon
Jean-François
JF
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