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. 2009 Oct;99 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):S225-30.
doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2008.151944.

Estimating influenza-associated deaths in the United States

William W Thompson  1 , Matthew R Moore, Eric Weintraub, Po-Yung Cheng, Xiaoping Jin, Carolyn B Bridges, Joseph S Bresee, David K Shay
Affiliations

Estimating influenza-associated deaths in the United States

William W Thompson et al. Am J Public Health. 2009 Oct.

Abstract

Most estimates of US deaths associated with influenza circulation have been similar despite the use of different approaches. However, a recently published estimate suggested that previous estimates substantially overestimated deaths associated with influenza, and concluded that substantial numbers of deaths during a future pandemic could be prevented because of improvements in medical care. We reviewed the data sources and methods used to estimate influenza-associated deaths. We suggest that discrepancies between the recent estimate and previous estimates of the number of influenza-associated deaths are attributable primarily to the use of different outcomes and methods. We also believe that secondary bacterial infections will likely result in substantial morbidity and mortality during a future influenza pandemic, despite medical progress.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Reported underlying pneumonia and influenza deaths, by month: United States, 1966–1976.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Rate of underlying pneumonia and influenza deaths and percentage of World Health Organization specimen testing positive for influenza A(H3N2) viruses, per week: United States, 1990–1991 through 1997–1998 respiratory illness seasons.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Numbers of influenza and pneumonia deaths and estimated influenza-associated deaths by influenza type and subtype, per week: United States, 1990–1991 through 1997–1998 respiratory illness seasons.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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