The novel H1N1 influenza pandemic is of moderate intensity, but targets younger adults with a higher fatality than seasonal influenza, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The novel H1N1 influenza pandemic is of moderate intensity, but targets younger adults with a higher fatality than seasonal influenza, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Comparing the number of deaths from the flu pandemic also known as swine flu with those from seasonal influenza can be misleading. WHO continues to assess the impact of the influenza pandemic as moderate. Accurate assessments of mortality and mortality rates will likely be possible only one to two years after the pandemic has peaked.
The H1N1 virus has killed at least 10,582 people worldwide since it emerged in April, but these are only laboratory-confirmed cases. Testing is costly and demanding, and many poor countries fail to investigate the cause of death as fatalities from respiratory diseases including pneumonia are common.
For several reasons, these numbers do not give a true picture of mortality during the pandemic, which is unquestionably higher than indicated by laboratory-confirmed cases. Seasonal flu kills 250,000 to 500,000 people a year globally, but this is an estimate derived from statistical models.
The models use data from death certificates and medical records on mortality from all causes to calculate so-called excess mortality that occurs during a period when influenza viruses are circulating widely in winter months. During epidemics of seasonal influenza, around 90 percent of deaths occur in the frail elderly, who often suffer from one or more chronic medical conditions. Compared with seasonal influenza, the novel H1N1 virus affects a younger age group in all categories - those most frequently infected, hospitalised, requiring intensive care, and dying.
The WHO aims to send H1N1 vaccines to Azerbaijan and Mongolia by year-end, the first of 95 countries, which it aims to supply with enough doses for 10 percent of their population over the next few months. Afghanistan is also in line to receive supplies soon. Health care workers followed by people at high risk are the top priority for receiving the vaccine. Initially, it is sending enough doses for about 2 percent of a needy country's population.
It is most important to ensure that health systems have enough resources and that emergency services and intensive care units continue to function.
Comparing the number of deaths from the flu pandemic also known as swine flu with those from seasonal influenza can be misleading. WHO continues to assess the impact of the influenza pandemic as moderate. Accurate assessments of mortality and mortality rates will likely be possible only one to two years after the pandemic has peaked.
The H1N1 virus has killed at least 10,582 people worldwide since it emerged in April, but these are only laboratory-confirmed cases. Testing is costly and demanding, and many poor countries fail to investigate the cause of death as fatalities from respiratory diseases including pneumonia are common.
For several reasons, these numbers do not give a true picture of mortality during the pandemic, which is unquestionably higher than indicated by laboratory-confirmed cases. Seasonal flu kills 250,000 to 500,000 people a year globally, but this is an estimate derived from statistical models.
The models use data from death certificates and medical records on mortality from all causes to calculate so-called excess mortality that occurs during a period when influenza viruses are circulating widely in winter months. During epidemics of seasonal influenza, around 90 percent of deaths occur in the frail elderly, who often suffer from one or more chronic medical conditions. Compared with seasonal influenza, the novel H1N1 virus affects a younger age group in all categories - those most frequently infected, hospitalised, requiring intensive care, and dying.
The WHO aims to send H1N1 vaccines to Azerbaijan and Mongolia by year-end, the first of 95 countries, which it aims to supply with enough doses for 10 percent of their population over the next few months. Afghanistan is also in line to receive supplies soon. Health care workers followed by people at high risk are the top priority for receiving the vaccine. Initially, it is sending enough doses for about 2 percent of a needy country's population.
It is most important to ensure that health systems have enough resources and that emergency services and intensive care units continue to function.
COMMENT
DoctorNDTV is the one stop site for all your health needs providing the most credible health information, health news and tips with expert advice on healthy living, diet plans, informative videos etc. You can get the most relevant and accurate info you need about health problems like diabetes, cancer, pregnancy, HIV and AIDS, weight loss and many other lifestyle diseases. We have a panel of over 350 experts who help us develop content by giving their valuable inputs and bringing to us the latest in the world of healthcare.
