Profile of the first cases hospitalized due to Influenza A (H1N1) in Panama City, Panama. May-June 2009.

Abstract

Introduction: In April 2009, a novel influenza A (H1N1) virus was identified in patients from Mexico and the United States. From 8 May through 25 June 2009, in the Republic of Panama, 467 cases infected with the same virus were identified, 13 of which were hospitalized at the Santo Tomas Hospital in Panama City. Up to the date of this report, no deaths have been reported in Panama. This study presents the first thirteen cases of Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 that were hospitalized in Panama City. Methodology: The Santo Tomas Hospital (HST), a third-level institution of the Ministry of Health (MINSA) for adult health care (patients above the age of 14), was designated as the reference center for treating these cases. For this purpose, the norms and criteria established by the system were followed and every patient (case) presenting flu-like symptoms was included (fever equal or greater than 38ºC (100.4ºF), cough, sore throat, rhinorrhea, lethargy in children under the age of one, and respiratory distress). Results: Seventy-six patients were hospitalized as suspected cases for infection with the influenza A H1N1 2009 virus, of which 13 (17.1%) were confirmed as positive. The clinical picture was characterized by fever (100%), cough (92.3%), rhinorrhea (69.2%), malaise (53.8%), headache (53.8%), and only one case presented gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhoea). The male:female ratio was 1:2.2. Conclusion: The knowledge and technology translation previously acquired through courses to the HST health care providers were the key in controlling the first influenza A (H1N1) 2009 cases.

Hospitalizations associated with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) and seasonal influenza in Saurashtra region, India

“…The present study found 35.4% cases positive for influenza A (H1N1), while positive cases were reported at 40.9% in Panama [16] and 45.9% in Chile [17]. In China, the majority (76.5%) of the infected patients had history of travel to a country of origin of the emerging infectious agent [18], while only 1.1% of the infected patients in the present investigation reported having travelled to such areas.…”

2009 H1N1 influenza A in children: a descriptive clinical study

“… 7 A total of 61.8% of patients were between 5 and 15 years and the median age was 6.7 years. 8 In contrast to studies in Argentina and Canada, 9 , 10 no sex predominance was reported in our study 10 The female predominance was present in other studies conducted in Panama and Hawaii 3 , 6 and the male predominance was reported in two studies in Riyadh and Bolivia. 11 , 12 Thirty-seven percent of our cases were from Saudi, which was far lower than that reported in Riyadh (85.3%).…”

“…Similar results with variable rates of local transmissions reaching 95.6% were detected in other series. 3 , 11 , 12 A statistically significant higher rate of contact transmission was observed in children up to 2 years old (Group 1) ( P =.002). 9 …”

“… 1 On 24 April 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued an official statement declaring a public health emergency of international interest, and on 11 June 2009, the pandemic alert level increased to phase 6, indicating that the human-to-human transmission of the virus had occurred in at least 2 countries of 2 different WHO regions. 3 …”

A Two wave analysis of hospitalizations and mortality from seasonal and pandemic 2009 A (H1N1) influenza in Saurashtra, India: 2009-2011

“…Studies in Panama[16] and Chile,[17] reported figures of 40.9% and 45.9% as positive. In China, the majority (76.5%) of the infected patients had a history of travel to countries infected with A (H1N1) influenza,[18] while only 0.01% infected patients of this study had a similar history of travel.…”