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Keywords

Communicable diseases; Diseases; Hospitalized; Hospital patients; Influenza; Influenza vaccines; Morbidity; Mortality; Mutation (Biology); Public health; Vaccination; Vaccines

Disciplines

Immunology of Infectious Disease | Influenza Humans | Influenza Virus Vaccines | Public Health

Abstract

Throughout the duration of any influenza season, influenza strains have the ability to evolve through mutation causing alterations in virulence. These changes may result in severe illness or death among susceptible populations; therefore, it is important to closely monitor influenza-associated hospitalizations and deaths. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas in collaboration with the Southern Nevada Health District analyzed data from the hospitalized influenza morbidity and mortality surveillance project for Clark County for the 2010-2011 influenza season. Among the study population (N= 158): the influenza strain type was found to be significantly associated with deaths (n= 25), vaccination status was not found to be significantly associated with death among hospitalized patients, and transformed data showed no statistically significant difference in the mean length of hospital stay based on the influenza strain type. These results will help inform public health agencies of the impact of influenza-associated hospitalizations and deaths, and inform the design of future surveillance systems.

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