Linked Life Data

10534742

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/10534742

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
4
pubmed:dateCreated
2000-1-12
pubmed:abstractText
In 1998 South Africa experienced a major influenza epidemic that was characterized by extensive illness and an unusually early season. The impact of the epidemic was charted by measuring proxy indexes of influenza activity such as school absenteeism and excess mortality in persons older than 65 years. Viruses isolated from patients of all age groups were analyzed both antigenically and at the molecular level to determine the characteristics of the influenza strain responsible for the outbreaks. The study revealed that influenza activity was detected as early as the middle of April and peaked toward the end of May and early June. School absenteeism correlated with a sharp rise in virus isolation during this period. Consumption of influenza-related pharmaceuticals, as well as mortality figures, also corresponded to the increased absenteeism and virus isolation. Characterization of the viruses isolated during 1997 and 1998 showed clearly that the epidemic was caused by the introduction of the A/Sydney/5/97-like H3N2 influenza strain into South Africa in 1998. With no prior exposure to this virus strain, which is antigenically distinct from the viruses that had been present in this country in 1997, the population was highly susceptible, resulting in an early, rapid spread of influenza. This epidemic has highlighted the importance of having an influenza vaccine specifically formulated for the Southern Hemisphere. If the 1998 vaccine had not contained the A/Sydney/5/97 strain, the widespread outbreaks in South Africa would have been far worse in terms of morbidity, mortality, and economic loss. This, in turn, emphasizes the need for increased influenza surveillance and international cooperation.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Dec
pubmed:issn
0146-6615
pubmed:author
pubmed:copyrightInfo
Copyright 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
59
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
561-8
pubmed:dateRevised
2008-11-21
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1999
pubmed:articleTitle
Impact of the introduction of A/Sydney/5/97 H3N2 influenza virus into South Africa.
pubmed:affiliation
terryb@niv.ac.za
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't