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2012-2013 influenza season deemed moderately severe
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The 2012-2013 influenza season was moderately severe and caused a higher percentage of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness, higher rates of hospitalization, and more reported deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza compared with earlier years, according to a recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
“With the exception of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, the number of influenza-associated pediatric deaths reported to CDC for the 2012 to 2013 season was the highest reported since data collection began in 2004,” researchers wrote.
More than 3,000 influenza virus specimens have been tested for antiviral resistance since Oct. 1, 2012. Researchers found that all 961 influenza B viruses tested were sensitive to oseltamivir (Tamiflu, Roche) and zanamivir (Relenza, GlaxoSmithKline). Among 2,123 influenza A (H3N2) viruses, one was resistant to oseltamivir along and one was resistant to oseltamivir and zanamivir. Of 542 pH1N1 viruses, two were resistant to oseltamivir and all 258 tested for resistance to zanamivir were sensitive. Resistance to adamantanes persisted among influenza A viruses that are circulating globally.
The 2013-2014 influenza trivalent vaccine recommended by the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee contains A/California/7/2009(H1N1) pdm09-like virus, A(H3N2) virus and a B/Massachusetts/2/2012-like (B/Yamagata lineage) virus. It also was recommended that quadrivalent vaccines also contain B/Brisbane/60/2008-like (B/Victoria lineage) virus.
“As a supplement to vaccination, influenza antiviral drugs are an important adjunct to reduce the impact of influenza,” researchers wrote. “Based on recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, antiviral treatment is recommended as soon as possible for patients with confirmed or suspected influenza who have severe, complicated, or progressive illness; who require hospitalization; or who are at higher risk for influenza-related complications.”
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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