title: H1N1 pandemic: clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of the Canadian pediatric outbreak.
abstract: Canada was one of the first countries affected by the 2009 influenza H1N1 pandemic with two waves - one from May to June and one from October to December. The 2009 influenza H1N1 pandemic had many unique features when compared with seasonal influenza, including the following: more than half of the affected people were children; asthma was the most significant risk factor for hospital admission; and Aboriginal and pregnant women had a higher risk of hospital admission and complications. Antiviral therapy was widely used but data did not show any effect on the pediatric population. Outbreak spread was possibly promoted from child-child and child-adult contact, and therefore the vaccination campaign targeted the pediatric population and achieved good coverage among young children (57%). Vaccination efficacy was difficult to test because of the vaccination delay. Improvement in models of prevention and treatment are urgently needed to prepare for the possible future pandemics.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric ICU, Sainte-Justine Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Fléchelles
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fowler
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jouvet
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D058873:Pandemics; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007252:Influenza Vaccines