Search

Unlabelled: THE PURPOSE OF STUDY: To assess the epidemiological situation of influenza and influenza like illnesses in Poland in 2010 compared to the situation in 2009., Materials and Methods: We analyzed the data involved in the annual bulletins, among others. "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2010" and "Vaccinations in Poland in 2010" issued by the Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health-National Institute of Hygiene and Chief Sanitary Inspectorate, Department of Prevention and Control of Infections and Infectious Diseases in Humans, reports of incidence of confirmed and suspected cases of influenza, sent to the Department ofEpidemiology, NIPH-NIH by the Provincial Sanitary-Epidemiological Stations. Information about the results of virological samples from patients that were performed at the Virus Research Institute, National Centre for Influenza NIPH - NIH and data on deaths of Demographic Surveys Division of the Central Statistical Office (GUS)., Results: Virological test results showed that among circulating influenza viruses in the population is dominant subtype is A/H1N1/pdm 09, and the flu-like virus, RSV, as compared to 2009, the share of the influenza virus type B incerased. Overall, recorded 551,054 cases of influenza-ATM 1443,0 per 100 thousand people was twice lower than in 2009, the reduction in the number of cases in each province was in the range from 3.1% to 95.3%. Incidence of influenza aged 0-14 years decreased by 38.7%. In 2010 vaccinated against influenza in Poland 1,168,432 people., Conclusions: The epidemiological situation of influenza in Poland in 2010. was typical for increased incidence post pandemic the year. It is necessary to improve the epidemiological surveillance of influenza, at least to the level of 2009 should increase the percentage of people vaccinated against influenza to the level achieved in other European countries.

A total number of 1,081,974 cases of influenza and influenza-like illness were registered in Poland in 2009 (incidence 2,835.9 per 100,000 population). It was nearly 5 times more than in 2008. The impact on increase of the number of reported cases have had two factors: the pandemic of influenza caused by virus A(H1N1)v, and increasing of the surveillance sensitivity. 3,177 (0.29%) cases was laboratory confirmed. In the area of particular regions incidence ranged from 805.2 in świetokrzyskie voivodeship to 5,257.9 in warmifisko-mazurskie voivodeship. Nearly 37% of cases were children under 15 years. The incidence in this age group was 6,851.2 (from 2,010.1 in Swietokrzyskie voivodeship, to 13,291.6 in warmińsko-mazurskie voivodeship). The highest reported incidence was observed in age group 5-14 years (7,135.2). To hospitals, mainly for epidemiological reasons, 8,944 people were sent (0.83% all cases). According to Central Statistical Office data, there were 87 death cases, including 8 (9.2%) children in the age of 15. 70.1% of deaths were registered as cases caused by identified influenza virus.

A total number of 227,346 cases of influenza and influenza-like illness were registered in Poland in 2008 (incidence 596.5 per 100,000 population). Compared to 2007 on 39.2% incidence decrease was observed. Regionally the incidence varied from 142.3 in swietokrzyskie voivodeship to 1,830.6 in opolskie. Children and adolescents under 15 years of age accounted for 36% of all cases (age group incidence 1,415.6). In this age group the incidence varied regionally from 342.9 in swietokrzyskie voivodeship to 4,083.6 in opolskie. The highest reported incidence was observed in age group 0-4 years (1,545.6). 153 patients (0.07% of all cases) required hospital admission. There were 16 deaths due to influenza, of which 11 (68.8%) were among persons over 70 years of age. In the epidemic season 2007/08 infections with influenza virus registered in Poland were caused by type A (60% of laboratory confirmed influenza cases) as well as by type B (40% of laboratory confirmed influenza cases), similarly to other parts of Europe. Forty-four influenza strains were isolated, including 24 strains of subtype A/H1 and 20 strains of type B. All of them were antigenically similar to the vaccine strains recommended for the epidemic season 2007/2008.

A total number of 374,042 cases of influenza and influenza-like illness were registered in Poland in 2007 (incidence 981.3 per 100,000 population). Compared to 2006 on 48.6% incidence increase was observed. Despite this increase influenza activity in 2007 was among the lowest during the last four decades. Regionally the incidence varied from 182.2 in pomorskie voivodeship to 2,957.1 in opolskie. Children and adolescents under 15 years of age accounted for 33% of all cases (age specific incidence 2,098.3). In this age group the incidence varied regionally from 398.8 in pomorskie voivodeship to 5,908.3 in opolskie. The highest reported incidence was observed in age group 0-4 years (2,240.7). 763 patients (0.20% of all cases) required hospital admission. There were 18 deaths due to influenza, of which 17 (94.4%) were among persons over 70 years of age. In the epidemic season 2006/07 infections with influenza virus registered in Poland were mainly caused by type A, similarly to other parts of Europe. Seventeen influenza strains were isolated, including 12 strains of subtype A/H1 and 5 strains of subtype A/H3. All of them were antigenically similar to the vaccine strains recommended for the epidemic season 2006/07.

Influenza is an acute infectious disease which may cause spectacular health, social and economic effects. Influenza may be prevented and treated in a sufficient way. The paper presents general rules of usage of current antiviral drugs--neuraminidase inhibitors--in prophylaxis and treatment of seasonal, avian and pandemic influenza. The paper describes mechanism of action of neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir and zanamivir), their main pharmacokinetic features, dosing and side effects. There was emphasized the necessity of the early introduction of treatment with neuraminidase inhibitors (36-48 hours after first symptoms) and the short duration of treatment (5 days). It is also discussed the role of neuraminidase inhibitors in the clinical management of avian influenza (H5N1) and their role in fighting with a pandemic disease.

A total number of 251,815 cases of influenza and influenza-like illness registered in Poland in 2006 (incidence 660.4 per 100,000 population). Regionally the incidence varied from 75.6 per 100,000 in swietokrzyskie voivodeship to 1,690.4 in mazowieckie. The highest reported incidence was observed in age group 0-4 years (1,543.1 per 100,000). Children and adolescents under 15 years of age accounted for 34.3% of all cases (age specific incidence 1,434.8 per 100,000). In this age group the incidence varied regionally from 190.2 in lubuskie voivodeship to 3,582.5 in lódzkie. 284 patients (0.11% of all cases) required hospital admission. There were 14 deaths due to influenza, in 71.4% these were persons over 70 years of age. In the epidemic season 2005/06 infections with influenza virus registered in Poland were mainly caused by type B similarly to other parts of Europe. Thirty five influenza strains were isolated, including 6 strains of subtype A/H1, 2 strains of subtype A/H3 and 27 strains of type B. All of these isolates with the exception of one strain of influenza B were antigenically similar to the vaccine strains recommended for the epidemic season 2005/06.

The first human cases of infections with entire avian influenza strain were caused by subtype A/H5N1/ and occurred in 1997 in Hong Kong. Since this year until 27 March 2007 World Health Organization confirmed over 370 human cases of infections with avian influenza and almost 160 persons died due to this pathogen. At present there is known that person to person transmission of avian influenza virus is limited. Nevertheless, it is possible that with time virus will adapt to human sufficiently to be able to cause next influenza pandemic. Despite intensive studies and global influenza surveillance there is no possible to predict when pandemic will begin and what kind of virus will cause this outbreak.

Influenza surveillance and increase of the percentage of population vaccinated against influenza have priority significance to combat influenza. In Poland 8.3% of the population have been vaccinated against influenza during the last epidemic season. Consequences of influenza infections are medical as well as economic. In the USA economic costs of influenza range, depending on the epidemic season, from 76 billions to 167 billions US dollars. WHO, prestigious Scientific Societies and European Union appeal to increase influenza vaccination coverage. These vaccinations are the most effective and the cheapest way to fight against influenza. During 6 years avian influenza virus, breaking species barrier, caused death of over 100 persons. Despite culling of millions of poultry, influenza virus A/H5N1/ caused infections in birds in many countries. There is unanimous conviction that the next influenza pandemic is an inevitable event. At present, it is not possible to answer two questions: when it will happen and what subtype will cause pandemic. All countries were obliged to prepare emergency plans for the next influenza pandemic.

Since 1997, human infections with highly pathogenic zoonotic avian influenza viruses hive shown that the risk of influenza pandemic is significant. In Europe, infections caused by the highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H7N7) virus were confirmed in the human population in 2003 in the Netherlands. Moreover, outbreaks of A(H5N1) infections were observed in wild and farm birds in different European regions, including Poland in 2006-2008. This study presents 16 patients in Poland from whom clinical specimens were collected and tested for A(H5N1) highly pathogenic avian influenza. This article shows the results of laboratory tests and discusses the legitimacy of the collection and testing of the specimens. All patients were negative for A(H5N1) infection. Nevertheless, only two patients met clinical and epidemiological criteria from the avian influenza case definition. The conclusion is that there is still a strong necessity for increasing the awareness of medical and laboratory staff, as well as the awareness of sonic occupational groups about human infections with avian influenza viruses, including the importance of seasonal influenza vaccination, It should also be emphasized that in the case of patients suspected of being infected with avian influenza, the information about clinical symptoms is insufficient and must be accompanied by a wide epidemiological investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]