title: Estimating influenza-associated mortality in New Zealand from 1990 to 2008.
abstract: This study used Poisson regression modelling to estimate influenza-associated mortality in New Zealand for 1990-2008. Inputs were weekly numbers of deaths and influenza and RSV isolates. Seasonal influenza was associated with an average of 401 medical deaths annually from 1990 to 2008, a rate of 10.6 (95% CI: 7.9, 13.3) per 100,000 persons per year, which is 17 times higher than recorded influenza deaths. The majority (86%) of deaths occurred in those 65 years and over. There was no clear decline in influenza-associated mortality in this age group over the course of the study period.
authors.affiliation: University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Tara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kessaram
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stanley
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Baker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009981:Influenza B virus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000401:mortality* / Q000821:virology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000401:mortality*; D018113:Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Mortality; influenza; statistical regression