[Pandemic influenza A (H1N1 virus) on Futuna Island in the Pacific, from August to September 2009].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to report the observation of the pandemic of influenza A (H1N1 virus) from August to September 2009 on the island of Futuna, in a context of isolated island that may mimic an environment closed.


METHODS
We conducted a prospective observational study of influenza-like illness, from the first confirmed case of influenza A on the island until the end of the epidemic wave.


RESULTS
From August 15 to September 20, 2009, 1536 cases of influenza syndrome were identified. The estimate of the overall clinical attack rate was 36 %. The evolution of the epidemic shows an explosion of new cases of influenza A and subsequently a rapid decline of the epidemic. The spread of the infection was made by contiguity, jumping from one city to another. The cumulative number of cases by age group shows that the majority of cases were children and young adults under the age of 20 years. The most frequent symptoms were cough, rhinorrhea, headache, myalgia or asthenia, and fever.


CONCLUSIONS
This study, despite these limitations, shows an explosive epidemic of influenza A, which can be explained by the circulation of virus that has been fostered by gatherings of public and closed environment. Age group classification shows that majority of cases were young, in contrast to seasonal influenza, but the symptoms were alike. This study highlights the difficulties to manage an epidemic surveillance system at high level and given the quick spread of the disease.
Centre hospitalier universitaire Timone, service d'aide médicale d'urgence (SAMU 13), 13385 Marseille cedex 05, France.
Hichem
H
Chenaitia
Horace
H
Massa
Philippe
P
Garry
André
A
Puget
Jean-Francois
JF
Yvon
Elisabeth
E
Dutaut
Jacques
J
Bessereau
Pierre
P
Michelet
Jean-Pierre
JP
Auffray
Jean
J
Delmont
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058873:Pandemics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011114:Polynesia; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012934:Social Isolation; D055815:Young Adult