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Published on: January 30, 2017
Influenza surveillance during winter 1997-1998 in Israel
T Peled1, M Weingarten, N Varsano
1Israel Center for Disease Control, Gertner Institute for Health Policy Research, Tel Hashomer, Israel. tamar.p@icdc.health.gov.il
The Israel Medical Association Journal : IMAJ
|January 25, 2002
Summary
Influenza surveillance in Israel identified A/Sydney/5/97 (H3N2) as the dominant strain during the 1997-1998 winter season. This study assessed influenza virus activity and moderate epidemic morbidity, noting co-circulation of A/H1N1.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Influenza poses a significant global threat, causing substantial morbidity and mortality annually.
- Winter influenza seasons necessitate ongoing surveillance to understand circulating strains and disease burden.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify active influenza virus strains in Israel during a specific winter season.
- To quantify the extent of influenza-related morbidity within the monitored population.
Main Methods:
- Surveillance of 18,684 individuals in two Israeli community clinics over 20 weeks (Nov 1997-Mar 1998).
- Collected data on visits for acute respiratory infection (ARI) and influenza-like illness (ILI).
- Weekly isolation of influenza viruses from nasopharyngeal specimens of patients with ARI/ILI.
Main Results:
- Recorded 5,947 ARI/ILI visits (18.1% of total visits), peaking in early 1998.
- Influenza virus isolated from 21.6% of specimens; A/Sydney/5/97 (H3N2) was the predominant strain (77.2%).
- Peak influenza activity observed in January 1998, with highest rates in ages 5-14 and 65+.
Conclusions:
- A/Sydney/5/97 (H3N2) was the dominant influenza virus, though Influenza A/H1N1 also circulated.
- Clinical disease patterns (ARI/ILI visits) correlated with virological findings.
- The observed morbidity indicated a moderate influenza epidemic.
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