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. 2013 Nov;7(6):1062-9.
doi: 10.1111/irv.12126. Epub 2013 Jun 9.

Distribution of influenza and other acute respiratory viruses during the first year after the 2009-2010 influenza pandemic in the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean countries

Leslie Edwards  1 , Eldonna Boisson, SueMin Nathaniel-Girdharrie, Victoria Morris-Glasgow
Affiliations

Distribution of influenza and other acute respiratory viruses during the first year after the 2009-2010 influenza pandemic in the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean countries

Leslie Edwards et al. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2013 Nov.

Abstract

Background: Limited specimen collection and testing for influenza occurred in the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean countries prior to the 2009/2010 influenza pandemic. Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) member countries rapidly mobilized to collect specimens during the pandemic and a vast majority of confirmed cases during the pandemic period were influenza A(H1N1)pdm09.

Objectives: To describe the aetiology and distribution of acute respiratory illness (ARI) among laboratory confirmed cases during the first year after the 2009/2010 influenza pandemic in the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean.

Results: In total, 774 specimens were tested and 394 (52.7%) cases had positive laboratory confirmation. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (28.4%) and influenza A(H3N2) (23.1%) were most frequently detected. RSV activity peaked in July 2011 while influenza A(H3N2) peaked in October 2010. Influenza was responsible for illness in greater numbers in persons 15-64 years while RSV was seen in primarily in children<5 years and adults>65 years. Other agents confirmed include rhinovirus (12.9%), influenza B (10.9%) and influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 (9.4%).

Conclusions: RSV and influenza A(H3N2) were the most common viruses identified during the first year after the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 pandemic. Influenza was detected every month with peak activity corresponding to that typically seen in North America (October to March). In order to determine the seasonality of influenza and RSV, laboratory data from subsequent years and increased specimen submission is needed.

Keywords: Caribbean; epidemiology; influenza; respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Month of onset for laboratory confirmed influenza cases, CAREC member countries, September 2010–August 2011.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Month of onset for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases, CAREC member countries, September 2010–August 2011.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Month of onset for parainfluenza type 1, 2 and 3 cases, CAREC member countries, September 2010–August 2011.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Month of onset for metapneumovirus cases, CAREC member countries, September 2010–August 2011.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Month of onset for adenovirus cases, CAREC member countries, September 2010–August 2011.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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