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Influenza A/H1N1_09: Australia and New Zealand's Winter of Discontent

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 03:42 authored by Kotsimbos, T, Waterer, G, Jenkins, C, Kelly, PM, Cheng, A, Hancox, RJ, Holmes, M, Wood-Baker, R, Bowler, S, Irving, L, Thompson, P
Influenza A/H1N1_09 emerged in Mexico at the end of the Northern Hemisphere winter.Within weeks, the focus shifted to the Southern Hemisphere as the introduction of the novel virus coincided with the beginning of theinfluenzaseason. Intensive public healthandhealth services planning had occurred in Australia and New Zealand as preparation for an influenza pandemic before 2009. However, this first pandemic wave was quite different to what had been expected. Key elements of the pandemic and response are outlined from the perspective of clinicians working at the frontline of patient care. In particular, they examine why past influenza pandemics and recent history are poor predictors of the current pandemic, the discordance between potential for transmission and disease severity, the broad clinical spectrum of H1N1_09 infection, clinical and health service management issues, and the relationship between health care and government policy. Finally, they address the need for the respiratory community to show leadership in times of crisis. Lessons learned in Australia and New Zealand during 2009 have important messages for similarly resourced countries in the Northern Hemisphere in the coming months as they face their own influenza season.

History

Publication title

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine

Volume

181

Issue

4

Pagination

300-306

ISSN

1073-449X

Department/School

Menzies Institute for Medical Research

Publisher

American Thoracic Society

Place of publication

1740 Broadway, New York, USA, Ny, 10019-4374

Rights statement

Copyright 2010 American Thoracic Society

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Clinical health not elsewhere classified

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