[Influenza and influenza-like illnesses in Slaskie voivodship in 2000-2005]

Influenza is a seasonal viral disease. In Poland several thousand to several million cases and suspected cases of influenza are registered every epidemic season. The active participation of all 16 voivodships in SENTINEL the integrated epidemiological and virological surveillance of influenza and influenza-like illnesses, as well as the increase in flu vaccinations in each voivodship, is of significant importance, not only on account of seasonal morbidity, but also of a possible influenza pandemic. The aim of the study was to analyse influenza and influenza-like illnesses, taking into consideration incidence, hospitalisation and mortality, as well as isolation of the influenza virus and vaccination against flu in the Silesian voivodship in the years 2000-2005.

The analysis was carried out on the basis of annual reports concerning influenza and influenza-like illnesses in districts in the Silesian voivodship between 2000 and 2005. Results. The highest incidences of influenza and influenza-like illnesses in the Silesian voivodship in the years 2000-2005 were registered in the following districts: Wodzisław Slaski in 2000 and 2003, Jaworzno in 2001 and 2005, and Lubliniec in 2002, while the lowest incidence was noted in the Wodzisław slaski district in 2004. The peak of incidence of influenza and influenza-like illnesses was observed between January and March of a given year. The percentage of people vaccinated against flu in the above voivodship compared with the number of people vaccinated in Poland was between 10.7 and 12.8.

From an analysis of the period 2000-2005, we can conclude that, besides epidemiological surveillance, it is essential to introduce virological surveillance. Lack of pathognostic symptoms makes it difficult to present a diagnosis merely on the basis of a clinical case definition. Laboratory tests have a key role in diagnosing laboratory infections. Systematic health education is essential in Poland to popularise vaccinations against flu. This is particularly important in view of the fact that only about 8% of the Polish population is vaccinated every season. In EU countries the number of vaccinations is 3 times greater.