Epidemiological control for influenza pandemic in Kharkov, Ukraine

Abstract

Background: In April 2009, a novel strain of influenza A H1N1 was identified from Mexico and the United States. The H1N1 pandemic has highlighted the treat of emerging viral pathogens to global health. Aim and tasks: We reviewed epidemiological feathers of influenza A H1N1 and the effectiveness of the preventive and anti-epidemic measures in the pandemic influenza 2009-2010 in the industrial region of 2.782 min population to determine potential lessons for public health action. Materials and methods: We reviewed Kharkiv surveillance reports for influenza. Results: In pre-epidemic period the sanitary-epidemiological service of Kharkiv has developed and implemented a comprehensive plan to control the influenza outbreak. Increasing of the incidence in the season 2009-2010 began earlier than usual in October 2010. The maximum level of incidence of influenza and acute respiratory infections (ARI) in Kharkiv was registered on the 52-nd week of the year and it was 31,4 per 10 thousand of population. Vulnerable groups included pregnant women, patients with morbid obesity and those with chronic respiratory disease. Because of the timely introduction of restrictive measures in schools and out-of-school institutions, the incidence of influenza and ARI exceeded the epidemic thresholds among the school-age children only on the 51st and 52nd weeks of the year. Somatic hospitals of the city have been restructured to provide qualified medical care of cases of influenza and ARI with severe disease and complications and to treat pregnant women. Carrying out other organizational-methodical, preventive and anti-epidemic measures helped to limit the epidemic spread of the influenza A H1N1 virus in Kharkiv, where the incidence of influenza in this period was several times lower in the Ukraine. Conclusions: The organizational, methodological work of public health surveys and preventive and anti-epidemic measures have gave the possibility to prevent epidemic spread of influenza and ARI in Kharkiv. These lessons for public health action improved timely the understanding of the characteristics and impact of the pandemic. Such measures can be implemented in other areas of the country.