Response to the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic in Italy

• Published in: Euro surveillance : bulletin européen sur les maladies transmissibles Vol. 15; no. 49; p. 38
• Main Authors: Rizzo, C, Rota, M C, Bella, A, Giannitelli, S, De Santis, S, Nacca, G, Pompa, M G, Vellucci, L, Salmaso, S, Declich, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sweden Centre Europeen pour la Surveillance Epidemiologique du SIDA (European Centre for the Epidemiological Monitoring of AIDS) 09.12.2010
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; Aged; Child; Child, Preschool; Communication; Disaster Planning; Disease control; Epidemiology; Female; Health Education; Hospitalization; Humans; Immunization; Incidence; Infant; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; Influenza Vaccines - administration & dosage; Influenza, Human - epidemiology; Influenza, Human - prevention & control; Italy - epidemiology; Male; Mass Vaccination - organization & administration; Middle Aged; Pandemics; Public health; Seasons; Sentinel Surveillance; Sex Distribution; Swine flu; Vaccines; Young Adult; Italy
• ISSN: 1560-7917; 1025-496X; 1560-7917
• DOI: 10.2807/ese.15.49.19744-en

In Italy, the arrival of the 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus triggered an integrated response that was mainly based on the 2006 National Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan. In this article we analyse the main activities implemented for epidemiological surveillance, containment and mitigation of the pandemic influenza and the lesson learned from this experience. Overall, from week 31 (27 July – 2 August) of 2009 to week 17 (26 April – 2 May) of 2010, we estimate that there were approximately 5,600,000 cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) who received medical attention (with almost 2,000 laboratory-confirmed cases of pandemic influenza from May to October 2009). A total of 1,106 confirmed cases were admitted to hospital for serious conditions, of whom 532 were admitted to intensive care units. There were 260 reported deaths due to pandemic influenza. Approximately 870,000 first doses of the pandemic vaccine were administered, representing a vaccine coverage of 4% of the target population. One of the possible reasons for the low uptake of the pandemic vaccine in the target population could be the communication strategy adopted, for both the general population and healthcare workers, which turned out to be a major challenge. Active involvement of all health professionals (at local, regional and national level) in influenza pandemic preparedness and response should be encouraged in the future.