title: Epidemiology of influenza-like illness during Pandemic (H1N1) 2009, New South Wales, Australia.
abstract: To rapidly describe the epidemiology of influenza-like illness (ILI) during the 2009 winter epidemic of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus in New South Wales, Australia, we used results of a continuous population health survey. During July-September 2009, ILI was experienced by 23% of the population. Among these persons, 51% were unable to undertake normal duties for <3 days, 55% sought care at a general practice, and 5% went to a hospital. Factors independently associated with ILI were younger age, daily smoking, and obesity. Effectiveness of prepandemic seasonal vaccine was ?20%. The high prevalence of risk factors associated with a substantially increased risk for ILI deserves greater recognition.
authors.affiliation: New South Wales Department of Health, North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Muscatello
authors.forename: Margo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barr
authors.forename: Sarah V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Thackway
authors.forename: C Raina
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Macintyre
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000502:physiology; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D058873:Pandemics / Q000517:prevention & control; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012327:RNA Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014611:Vaccination