PLoS ONE (Jan 2013)

Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09-associated pneumonia deaths in Thailand.

  • Charatdao Bunthi,
  • Somsak Thamthitiwat,
  • Henry C Baggett,
  • Pasakorn Akarasewi,
  • Ruchira Ruangchira-urai,
  • Susan A Maloney,
  • Kumnuan Ungchusak

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0054946
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 2
p. e54946

Abstract

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BACKGROUND: The first human infections with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus were confirmed in April 2009. We describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09-associated pneumonia deaths in Thailand from May 2009-January 2010. METHODS: We identified influenza A(H1N1)pdm09-associated pneumonia deaths from a national influenza surveillance system and performed detailed reviews of a subset. RESULTS: Of 198 deaths reported, 49% were male and the median age was 37 years; 146 (73%) were 20-60 years. Among 90 deaths with records available for review, 46% had no identified risk factors for severe influenza. Eighty-eight patients (98%) received antiviral treatment, but only 16 (18%) initiated therapy within 48 hours of symptom onset. CONCLUSIONS: Most influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 pneumonia fatalities in Thailand occurred in adults aged 20-60 years. Nearly half lacked high-risk conditions. Antiviral treatment recommendations may be especially important early in a pandemic before vaccine is available. Treatment should be considered as soon as influenza is suspected.