مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري

Abstract :

In March 2009, a cluster of influenza-like cases were reported from northern Mexico and California. These new cases were found to be associated with a “new” virus containing “quadruple reassortant” genome segments two of which originating from swine, one from bird and one from human flu viruses. After detection of cases due to human-human transmission in at least two seperate continents, pandemic alert level was increased to phase 6 on 11th of June 2009 with the announcement of World Health Organisation (WHO). The flu pandemic caused millions of cases and at least 16 000 (officially confirmed data: 15921) deaths were reported from 212 countries around the world. It has been announced by the WHO on 10th of August 2010 that the pandemic was over and the post-pandemic period has begun all around the world. The first local flu case was confirmed in Turkey on 16th May 2009. The outbreak rate reached the peak on November 2009 and approximately 6.5 million people became infected during the epidemic while 13.111 cases were hospitalized, 2721 cases were followed up in ICUs, 1161 of them required mechanic ventilation and 656 patients were died according to the data of Ministry of Health. Of the patients who died 59.1%had chronic diseases and 6.1%were pregnant or post partum women. Contrary to the concerns about the severity of the pandemic at the initial phase, it has been overcome relatively milder. The virus did not turn into a lethal form, oseltamivir resistance did not disseminate, the rapidly produced vaccine managed to cover the circulating virus types and showed an excellent safety profile. Fears and concerns arose from the tragic flu pandemic experienced 90 years ago, were overcome with the support of high communication technology and extensive health infrastructure and being recorded as a success story to the memory of humanity, the 2009 pandemic has returned to the normal seasonal course in one and a half year.