WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Ziyad Hazim Ibrahim* and Ali Haleem Jasim

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Influenza is an acute viral respiratory infection, very contagious and kills about half million in the world every year. Aim: To know the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of Iraqi patients with influenza. Methods: A cross sectional study done on patients with laboratory- confirmed influenza viral infection who attended Iraqi sentinel sites for influenza surveillance (Nov. 2021- May 2022). Results: The total number of cases was 73. The largest age group (46.6%) was 19-39. 76.7% of cases were registered in Baghdad/ Rusafa, 17.8% in karkh, 4.1% in Erbil, and 1.4% in Basra. 52.1% were females. 82.2% were living in urban areas. 91.8% presented with cough & 98.6% with fever. Only 8.2% got influenza vaccine. 63% did not vaccinated against COVID19. 80.8% were diagnosed as ILI, 19.2% as SARI (needed admission), all were cured, only 1.4% needed oxygen mask. All were diagnosed as type A virus, 97.3% had H3N2, 2.7% had H1N1 pdm09 subtype. Conclusions: Most cases were registered in Baghdad/ Rusafa. The largest age group was 19-39. Most living in urban areas. Most presented with cough and fever. Most were mild. Most cases did not immunize against influenza nor COVID19. All cases with influenza virus had type A, mainly H3N2 strain subtype. Recommendations: Health education about influenza especially for people living in Baghdad/ Rusafa and those aged 19- 39. Establishment of other surveillance sites. Provision of influenza vaccine against H3N2 subtype and encouraging people to take it annually.

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