Hospital-based Influenza Morbidity and Mortality (HIMM) Surveillance for A/H7N9 Influenza Virus Infection in Returning Travelers.

Hospital-based Influenza Morbidity and Mortality (HIMM) Surveillance for A/H7N9 Influenza Virus Infection in Returning Travelers. J Korean Med Sci. 2018 Feb 12;33(7):e49 Authors: Song JY, Noh JY, Lee J, Woo HJ, Lee JS, Wie SH, Kim YK, Jeong HW, Kim SW, Lee SH, Park KH, Kang SH, Kee SY, Kim TH, Choo EJ, Lee HS, Choi WS, Cheong HJ, Kim WJ Abstract Since 2013, the Hospital-based Influenza Morbidity and Mortality (HIMM) surveillance system began a H7N9 influenza surveillance scheme for returning travelers in addition to pre-existing emergency room (ER)-based influenza-like illness (ILI) surveillance and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) surveillance. Although limited to eastern China, avian A/H7N9 influenza virus is considered to have the highest pandemic potential among currently circulating influenza viruses. During the study period between October 1st, 2013 and April 30th, 2016, 11 cases presented with ILI within seven days of travel return. These patients visited China, Hong Kong, or neighboring Southeast Asian countries, but none of them visited a livestock market. Seasonal influenza virus (54.5%, 6 among 11) was the most common cause of ILI among returning travelers, and avian A/H7N9 influenza virus was not detected during the study period. PMID: 29359537 [PubMed - in process]
Source: J Korean Med Sci - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: J Korean Med Sci Source Type: research