Open AccessSurveillance for severe acute respiratory infections in S outhern A rizona, 2010–2014
Author(s) -
Wansaula Zimy,
Olsen Sonja J.,
Casal Mariana G.,
Golenko Catherine,
Erhart Laura M.,
Kammerer Peter,
Whitfield Natalie,
McCotter Orion Z.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
influenza and other respiratory viruses
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.743
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1750-2659
pISSN - 1750-2640
DOI - 10.1111/irv.12360
Subject(s) - rhinovirus , medicine , sore throat , human metapneumovirus , chills , enterovirus , metapneumovirus , oseltamivir , virology , respiratory tract infections , virus , respiratory system , immunology , covid-19 , infectious disease (medical specialty) , disease
Background The B inational B order I nfectious D isease S urveillance program began surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections ( SARI ) on the US –Mexico border in 2009. Here, we describe patients in S outhern A rizona. Methods Patients admitted to five acute care hospitals that met the SARI case definition (temperature ≥37·8°C or reported fever or chills with history of cough, sore throat, or shortness of breath in a hospitalized person) were enrolled. Staff completed a standard form and collected a nasopharyngeal swab which was tested for selected respiratory viruses by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results From October 2010–September 2014, we enrolled 332 SARI patients. Fifty‐two percent were male and 48% were white non‐Hispanic. The median age was 63 years (47% ≥65 years and 5·2% <5 years). During hospitalization, 51 of 230 (22%) patients required intubation, 120 of 297 (40%) were admitted to intensive care unit, and 28 of 278 (10%) died. Influenza vaccination was 56%. Of 309 cases tested, 49 (16%) were positive for influenza viruses, 25 (8·1%) for human metapneumovirus, 20 (6·5%) for parainfluenza viruses, 16 (5·2%) for coronavirus, 11 (3·6%) for respiratory syncytial virus, 10 (3·2%) for rhinovirus, 4 (1·3%) for rhinovirus/enterovirus, 3 (1·0%) for enteroviruses, and 3 (1·0%) for adenovirus. Among the 49 influenza‐positive specimens, 76% were influenza A (19 H3N2, 17 H1N1pdm09, and 1 not subtyped), and 24% were influenza B. Conclusion Influenza viruses were a frequent cause of SARI in hospitalized patients in Southern Arizona. Monitoring respiratory illness in border populations will help better understand the etiologies. Improving influenza vaccination coverage may help prevent some SARI cases.