Introduction of 2009 Pandemic Influenza A Virus Subtype H1N1 Into South Africa: Clinical Presentation, Epidemiology, and Transmissibility of the First 100 Cases

Background. We documented the introduction of 2009 pandemic influenza A virus subtype H1N1 (A[H1N1] pdm09) into South Africa and describe its clinical presentation, epidemiology, and transmissibility. Methods. We conducted a prospective descriptive study of the first 100 laboratory-confirmed cases o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of infectious diseases 2012-12, Vol.206 (suppl 1), p.S148-S152
Main Authors: Archer, Brett N., Timothy, Geraldine A., Cohen, Cheryl, Tempia, Stefano, Huma, Mmampedi, Blumberg, Lucille, Naidoo, Dhamari, Cengimbo, Ayanda, Schoub, Barry D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Age Distribution
Aged
Child
Child, Preschool
Disease transmission
Diseases
Epidemiology
Family Health
Female
H1N1 subtype influenza A virus
Humans
Infections
Influenza A virus
Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype - isolation & purification
Influenza, Human - epidemiology
Influenza, Human - pathology
Influenza, Human - transmission
Male
Middle Aged
Orthomyxoviridae
Pandemics
Prospective Studies
South Africa - epidemiology
SOUTHERN AFRICA
Surveillance
Travel
Viruses
Young Adult
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Summary:Background. We documented the introduction of 2009 pandemic influenza A virus subtype H1N1 (A[H1N1] pdm09) into South Africa and describe its clinical presentation, epidemiology, and transmissibility. Methods. We conducted a prospective descriptive study of the first 100 laboratory-confirmed cases of A (HlNl) pdmO9 infections identified through active case finding and surveillance. Infected patients and the attending clinicians were interviewed, and close contacts were followed up to investigate household transmission. Findings. The first case was confirmed on 14 June 2009, and by 15 July 2009, 100 cases were diagnosed Fortytwo percent of patients reported international travel within 7 days prior to onset of illness. Patients ranged in age from 4 to 70 years (median age, 21.5 years). Seventeen percent of household contacts developed influenza-like illness, and 10% of household contacts had laboratory-confirmed A(H1N1) pdm09 infection. We found a mean serial interval (±SD) of 2.3 ± 1.3 days (range, 1-5 days) between successive laboratory-confirmed cases in the transmission chain. Conclusions. A(H1N1) pdm09 established itself rapidly in South Africa. Transmissibility of the virus was comparable to observations from outside of Africa and to seasonal influenza virus strains.
ISSN:0022-1899
1537-6613
DOI:10.1093/infdis/jis583