Re: Netherlands - Update Influenza A(H1N1) - 43 hospitalizations, 3 deaths
Re: Netherlands - Update Influenza A(H1N1) - 43 hospitalizations, 3 deaths
After the announcmeent of the death of 2 children - aged and 11, previously healthy - of swine flu, there was a lot of anxiety in the press and on social media like Twitter.
Apparently the RIVM (= Dutch CDC) was triggered by this unrest to publish an extra press release today.
In this release:
- 1 more death announced (adult, underlying illness, from last october)
- 43 patients hospitalised
- no mass vaccination for children, however if parents want to, they can buy one.
- only patients and deaths related to H1N1 (swine flu) are reported, not the other influenza types
machinetranslation
2010-2011 Flu Season - January 5, 2011
Flu in the Netherlands
In the winter flu viruses are circulating in the Netherlands. This is monitored in different
ways . The poll of GPs NIVEL shows that
there is no flu epidemic yet. In week 51 (20 to December 26) 23 of
the 100,000 people were infecte with flu-like symptoms.
On January 6 the estimate for the week
52 will follow. If two weeks at more than 51 per 100,000 people have flu-like symptoms
we speak of a flu epidemic in the Netherlands officially.
Types of Flu
In the Netherlands two types currently circulating influenza viruses. It is now about the
influenza A (H1N1) 2009 (formerly known as swine flu) and one type B influenza virus.
In the year 2009 there was a special situation because there is a new flu virus
circulated that fundamentally different from the known flu viruses. Why was this type
flu a proper name (flu). This year the flu is seen as a
flu season.
Flu Information
Hospitalization and death in the A (H1N1) flu in 2009 is still
be reported. The seasonal flu and other influenza B viruses such as A (H3N2) are not
be reported. Because of this notification, RIVM report only on the number
hospitalizations and deaths by A (H1N1) flu in 2009. This therefore gives an overview
under-reporting of flu situation in the Netherlands. First, missing data for other
flu types, and second, by no means all admissions and deaths investigation
done to prevent flu.
The RIVM in the 2010-2011 flu season until Jan. 4 of a total of 43 reports
hospitalizations for the A (H1N1) flu in 2009 received. Of these three people
deceased, two children and one adult. At the last person there was severe
underlying condition. The age distribution of people because of the A (H1N1) flu in 2009
admitted to hospital is similar to the image in the 2009-2010 season. Also
in younger age groups we see a relatively high hospitalization .
Abroad
The picture in the Netherlands does not currently show a significant other image compared to
other European countries. However, in some countries, including Belgium, on the basis of earlier
criteria, there is already a flu epidemic.
RIVM