Introduction

The influenza virus causes seasonal epidemics worldwide and it is estimated that between 5 and 20% of the population suffers from influenza each year. The first cases of human infection caused by a new influenza A virus (H1N1) were confirmed in April 2009.

Objective and Method

In the epidemic period (week 40-20) of 2016-2018, a multicenter prospective descriptive observational study was carried out in two public hospitals in the southern metropolitan area of Barcelona in order to determine the incidence of positive patients in influenza A (H1N1), as well as the demographic and clinical-evolutionary characteristics of these patients, the timing of virus detection and measures applied for infection control.

Results:

The results of the present work indicate that the cumulative incidence of Influenza A during the study period was 233,68 per 100,000 inhabitants. Almost 90% of the patients had an underlying chronic conditions, mostly heart disease and respiratory pathology. Furthermore, 40% of the patients presented complications, mainly pneumonia. Treatment and days of isolation were according to standard recommendations.

Conclusion:

These findings show the high incidence of influenza A virus (N1H1) as well as the benefits that apports the infection control teams surveillance, monitoring the compliance with treatment and days of measures to avoid the transmission.

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