Epidemiological characteristics of Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1-2009) in Zhanjiang, China

BACKGROUND: A novel influenza A virus strain (H1N1-2009) spread first in Mexico and the United Stated in late April 2009, leading to the first influenza pandemic of the 21(st) century. The objective of this study was to determine the epidemiological and virological characteristics of the pandemic influenza A (H1N1-2009) in Zhanjiang, China. METHODS: The case and outbreak reports of influenza-like illness (ILI) were collected from the Chinese information system of disease control and prevention and the influenza surveillance system of Zhanjiang city. Real-time RT-PCR was conducted, and epidemic and virological characteristics of the virus were analyzed using descriptive epidemiological methods and Chi-square trend tests. RESULTS: A total of 276 reported cases were confirmed from July 16, 2009 to June 30, 2010. The attack rate of outbreak was from 1.1% to 6.0%. The disease peak occurred in December 2009, after which the outbreak subsided gradually. The last case was confirmed in April 2010. CONCLUSION: The main population struck by the H1N1-2009 virus was young adults, youths and children. The outbreaks most frequently occurred in schools, and most cases were acquired locally