Early and unexpectedly severe start of influenza epidemic in the Czech Republic during influenza season 2012-13

Euro Surveill. 2013 Feb 7;18(6):20396.

Abstract

A sudden increase in severe influenza has been registered in the Czech Republic since the end of 2012, with 264 cases requiring intensive care, including 51 deaths. Most patients had at least one risk factor. Severe influenza in patients with obesity, smoking and/or haematological disorders including haematological cancers was more frequent than in the pre-pandemic period. The seasonal influenza vaccination status of the cases indicates indirect efficiency of the current vaccine in preventing severe influenza.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Czech Republic / epidemiology
  • Epidemics*
  • Female
  • Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Influenza A virus / genetics*
  • Influenza A virus / immunology
  • Influenza A virus / isolation & purification*
  • Influenza Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology*
  • Influenza, Human / prevention & control*
  • Influenza, Human / virology
  • Intensive Care Units
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Population Surveillance
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Risk Factors
  • Seasons
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Time Factors
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Influenza Vaccines
  • RNA, Viral