Authors : Sharmila Raut, Pooja Shendre, Ravindra Khadse
DOI : 10.18231/j.ijmmtd.2020.007
Volume : 6
Issue : 1
Year : 2020
Page No : 33-38
Introduction : Influenza virus is a typical human pathogen causing serious respiratory infection. While
declaring the last pandemic to be over in August 2010, World Health Organisation (WHO) conveyed that
Pandemic Influenza A (HINI) virus would circulate as Seasonal Influenza virus for years to come. This
study was undertaken to observe trends of Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic 09 over last five years in Vidarbha
region of Maharashtra.
Material and Methods: Throat/nasal/nasopharyngeal swabs/aspirates from clinically suspected cases of
influenza like illness in category C received in the Viral Research and Diagnostic Lab (VRDL), Indira
Gandhi Govt Medical College (IGGMC), Nagpur from October 2015 to September 2019 were included in
the study. The samples were tested by reverse transcriptase real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
Clinical and epidemiological parameters were also noted.
Results : Influenza A(H1N1)pandemic 09 positivity ranged from 03% to 21% in last five years. Males and
females were almost equally affected except in 2019. Maximum positive cases were seen in age group of
41-60 years in 2015 (24%), 0-10 years in 2017(24%), 21-40 years in 2018 (9%) and 11-20 years (26%) in
2019 . Dual peaks of infection were seen in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Bhandara, Gondia and Akola districts
had highest positivity .
Discussion : Influenza A(H1N1)pandemic 09 is showing shift towards younger age groups and females
slightly, both of which needs attention. Waning and waxing trend in last five years indicate unpredictable
and changing epidemiology of the virus which should be studied further in details with respect to time,
place, person and molecular characterisation of the virus.
Keywords: Pandemic H1N1 trends Central India, Maharashtra