Re-Emergence Of Influenza A (H1n1) Virus As An Epidemic Agent Among Different Age Groups Of Patients In Western Rajasthan (Jodhpur) India

Background: Influenza has a major impact on public health, annually affecting 15-20% of the global population. First outbreak of influenza as a pandemic declared by WHO in June 2009. Aim: This study was aimed to determines the incidence of influenza A (H1N1) virus by real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) method in different age groups of patients. Methods: A total of 2868 respiratory samples (throat swabs/nasopharyngeal swabs) were collected from patients suspected influenza like illness who attended OPD or admitted in Dr S. N. Medical College & Associated group of Hospitals in January 2015 to March 2015 (3 months period). The samples were collected and processed as per World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Viral RNA was extracted and one-step rRT-PCR was performed to detect Influenza A (H1N1) virus. Results: A total of 668 (23.29%) were positive for influenza A (H1N1) virus, Group specific influenza A was positive in 524 (18.27%) samples. It was observed that influenza A (H1N1) virus was prevalent in western Rajasthan (Jodhpur) during the study period. Conclusion: Such surveillance data are important in the early detection of any antigenic variants that may be helpful in global influenza vaccine preparation and for any pandemic preparedness activity.