H1N1
The 2009 H1N1 influenza epidemic happened against a framework of epidemic response preparation at all levels that focused on containing the virus (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010). The virus was first detected in America in 2009 thus prompting investigations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC investigations revealed that the virus was dissimilar from any other influenza viruses seen in either humans or animals (CDC, 2010). Furthermore, the virus was found to be susceptible to antiviral agents oseltamivir and zanamivir. CDC collaborated with the global health community and the United States International Health Regulations Program informed the World Health Organization (WHO) of the outbreak. On April 2009, WHO declared the 2009 H1N1 outbreak a public health concern that necessitates thorough surveillance for unfamiliar occurrence of influenza-like disease and pneumonia (CDC, 2010). The vaccination campaign can be attributed to the low incidence of HN1N1 virus because of the preparedness of the epidemic. The public health awareness campaign started by CDC could have contributed to the low incidence of the pandemic because it enabled people to be aware of the disease and what to do when they get sick (CDC, 2010). Giving global health leadership as well as rallying regional and global partnerships to combat H1N1 was also useful. Human factor responsible for the low incidence include populations being aware of hygiene habits thus making them keen to avoid infections (Launay et al., 2012). Furthermore, the prior exposure of adults to antigenically similar viruses resulted in lower disease burden amongst them compared to children (Jhung et al., 2009). However, understanding this was important in establishing epidemic vaccine plans, focusing surveillance strategies and informing the public and clinicians of the risks (Jhung et al., 2009).
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010). The 2009 H1N1 pandemic: summary highlights, April 2009-April 2010. Official Online Article Published by the Centers for Disease Control, 4.
Jhung, M. A., Swerdlow, D., Olsen, S. J., Jernigan, D., Biggerstaff, M., Kamimoto, L., ... & Gindler, J. (2011). Epidemiology of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) in the United States. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 52(suppl_1), S13-S26.
Launay, O., Krivine, A., Charlier, C., Truster, V., Tsatsaris, V., Lepercq, J., ... & Artiguebielle, F. (2012). Low rate of pandemic A/H1N1 2009 influenza infection and lack of severe complication of vaccination in pregnant women: a prospective cohort study. PloS one, 7(12), e52303.