Swine Flu (H1N1) Descriptive Epidemiology for year 2016, in Punjab: Public and Private Sector Medical Institutions Preferred Equally for Treatment

Swine Flu Epidemiology 2016, Punjab

Abstract

Introduction: Seasonal influenza is an acute viral infection that spreads easily from person to person. It can affect people in any age group and is a serious public health problem. To initiate effective control measures, existing local data of state of Punjab was analyzed with the objective to study descriptive epidemiology of H1N1 cases reported in Punjab in year 2016.

Methodology: Data from the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Punjab was analyzed to see the age, sex, district wise and hospital wise distribution.

Results: Study showed maximum number of cases reported in adult and old age; higher percentage of urban and female cases. Maximum percentage of cases was reported from district Ludhiana. Public and private sector medical institutions were preferred equally for admissions.

Discussion: Case distribution is as per the previous reported pattern. There are gaps in reporting details that prohibit assessment of Case fatality rate and seasonality of disease. It is recommended to include following data in line list of H1N1cases: Date of admission in hospital, symptoms, history of vaccination, date of positive test report, date of discharge and outcome of case.