Post Pandemic Scenario of Pandemic 2009 H1N1 and Seasonal Influenza AVirus Infection in Himachal Pradesh, India

The 2009 H1N1pandemicpresented as a public health emergency globally.This prospective study was carried out to analyze the clinical profile of seasonal and 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus infection in patients presenting with influenza like illnessfrom April 2012 to March 2013.Respiratory specimens from these patients attending the tertiary care hospital were tested for seasonal and 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus by real time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.A total of 451 respiratory sampleswere tested and8.20% were confirmed positive for 2009 H1N1 and3.99%for seasonal influenza Avirus.Amongst 232 females, 8.62% and 2.15%and amongst 219 males, 7.76% and5.93% were detected positive for2009 H1N1 and seasonal influenza A virus respectively.The mean age forinfection with 2009 H1N1 Influenza A virus was 40.54 ±19.43 (2SD).Fever (86.49%;p value<0.02) and lower lobe lung involvement (84.76%; pvalue<0.006) was statistically significantwith2009 H1N1. Females were significantly affectedby 2009 H1N1 (p<0.03, c2 =2.39).Maximum number of cases occurred in winter months.Seasonal and 2009 H1N1influenza A virusare currentlyco-circulating and continuous surveillance & monitoring of influenza like illness is crucial for preparedness.