H1N1 human influenza: pandemic expected

Influenza impacts morbidity, mortality and health care costs. It causes school and work absenteeism. The responsible microorganisms are RNA viruses belonging to Orthomixoviridae family. Uncomplicated influenza begins after an incubation period of 1 to 4 days. Symptoms include fever, and in some cases mild conjunctivitis, but other patients have severe pneumonia with multiorgan failure, pulmonary bleeding, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. New influenza AH1N1 is a genetic recombination of Euro-Asian swine influenza virus, seasonal influenza virus, and H3N2 virus as the one isolated in Australia in 2007 (A/Brisbane/10/2007). As of September 13, 2009, the World Health Organization reported more than 296471 confirmed cases worldwide with at least 3486 deaths. In the Americas the figure reaches more than 124126 cases, and 2625 dealths. Venezuelan Ministry of Health has confirmed 1316 cases with 67 deaths. Regular hand hygiene measures, isolation of cases, oseltamivir or zanamivir therapy to suspected or confirmed cases, and vaccination of susceptible people once the new vaccines become available are all important prevention measures.