The characteristics of imported cases and the effectiveness of outbreak control strategies of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) in China

Asia Pac J Public Health. 2012 Nov;24(6):932-9. doi: 10.1177/1010539511408285. Epub 2011 May 5.

Abstract

The aim of this article was to describe the epidemiological characteristics of imported cases of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) and to assess the effectiveness of public health intervention measures in Beijing, China. Data on imported cases were collected via border entry screening, influenza-like illness screening in hospitals, medical follow-up of travelers from overseas, and quarantined close contacts. The characteristics of these cases were investigated. Pharyngeal swabs were collected and tested using polymerase chain reaction. A total of 609 imported cases were confirmed in Beijing from May 16 to September 30, 2009. Subjects aged <20 years accounted for 47.3%, and females represented 49.1%. Most cases were from North America and South America (27.3%). There were 21.8%, 18.7%, 3.1%, and 56.3% of cases detected separately via border entry screening, quarantined close contacts, medical follow-up of travelers from overseas, and influenza-like illness screening in hospitals, respectively. The 4 strategies were able to detect the cases efficiently but the use of resources was high.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • China / epidemiology
  • Contact Tracing
  • Disease Outbreaks / prevention & control*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype* / isolation & purification
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology*
  • Influenza, Human / prevention & control*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pandemics / prevention & control*
  • Pharynx / virology
  • Public Health Surveillance / methods*
  • Quarantine
  • Travel*
  • Young Adult