Background: H1N1 infection is a viral infection and it is communicable from an infected person to the susceptible contacts. A large number of H1N1 cases and deaths had been reported in districts of western Rajasthan during the pandemic of H1N1 influenza in the year 2009-10. In 2012-2013 also, Influenza A H1N1 virus once again has reappeared in western Rajasthan.
Aims & Objective: To review deaths due to H1N1 Positive patients in Hospitals attached with Medical College.
Material and Methods: The present study was a hospital based study. The study was conducted by taking information from H1N1positive patients and their relatives from Umed, M.G., M.D.M., and Chest & T. B. Hospitals of Jodhpur from 1st January, 2012 to 20th March, 2013. During our study period, 1877 samples were collected from the suspected Outdoor and Indoor patients of hospitals. The collected samples were transported in VTM (viral Transport Media) to the testing Laboratories of Medical College/ Desert Medicine Research Centre (DMRC), Jodhpur and subjected to RT-PCR technique for the detection of H1N1 Influenza virus.
Results: Out of 1877 samples collected during our study period, 375 samples were found positive. The study shows an H1N1 case positivity rate of 19.97%. During the study period, 68 patients died of H1 N1 infection with a Case fatality rate of 18.13%. Out of 68 H1N1 positive patients deaths, deaths were more (45; 66.16%) in female than in male (23; 33.82%). Out of 45 women who died of H1N1 infection, 33.82% (23) of the women were pregnant. The study also reveals a higher incidence of H1N1 infection and mortality in younger age group.
Conclusion: The Influenza A (H1N1) virus is still present two years after year 2009-10 pandemic. It has become a ubiquitous virus in the districts of Western Rajasthan region of India. In the event of new influenza outbreaks, hygienic and containment measures must be quickly and correctly implemented in order to avoid an epidemic.
Key words: Influenza A; H1N1; Viral Transport Media (VTM); Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)
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