The 2015 influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 outbreak in India

The influenza A(H1N1) pdm09 outbreak in India caused nearly 30,000 laboratory confirmed cases with more than 1700 deaths by March 15, 2015 1. Most of these cases were reported from the States and Tamil Nadu 2. In response to the upsurge of cases, the Central and State health departments initiated a number of activities including strengthening the surveillance; provision of laboratory support in terms of testing, quality assurance, supply of transport medium and diagnostic reagents; dissemination of guidelines for case management of cases and vaccination, making oseltamivir available through the public health system and schedule X chemists and educating the public through regular information, education and communication (IEC) activities 3. We present here certain facts about the 2015 influenza A(H1N1) pdm09 outbreak and some lessons learnt for future. Cases and deaths in post-H1N1 pandemic period: During the 2009 pandemic, India reported 27,236 laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) with 981 deaths 4,5. While declaring the post-pandemic phase in August 2010, the World Health Organization announced that the pandemic virus will continue as seasonal influenza virus 6. Therefore, sporadic H1N1 cases as well as localized outbreaks of varying magnitude are expected in the post-2009 pandemic period. As per the data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in the post-pandemic period (since 2010), India has reported more than 62,000 laboratory confirmed influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 cases with nearly 5000 deaths 4,5,7 (Figure). The cases were reported throughout the year with bi-modal peaks-a major