Mortality from Influenza A/H1N1 in a tertiary care teaching institution in North India.

BACKGROUND The recent influenza A/H1N1 pandemic has caused considerable morbidity and some mortality and is therefore a severe threat to certain individuals. Up to 31 January 2010, there had been 1,229 confirmed deaths from Influenza A/H1N1 in India. METHODOLOGY This study was a retrospective analysis of deaths caused by RT-PCR-confirmed cases of Influenza A/H1N1 in a tertiary care institution in North India from September 2009 until January 2010. RESULTS Among 125 patients admitted to the Influenza A/H1N1 ward of the hospital, a total of 16 deaths had occurred in patients who were positive for Influenza A/H1N1. Two deaths were in the paediatric age group. Most patients who died had some predisposing illness, such as pregnancy, underlying chronic respiratory illness, diabetes, obesity, etc. CONCLUSIONS In the present study, deaths from Influenza A/H1N1, as with seasonal influenza, appeared to occur primarily in individuals with underlying illness. In India, such individuals may be considered first for preventive strategies, including vaccination.