Better estimates of A(H1N1) flu virus severity needed, say experts
14 July 2009
Accurate estimates of the severity of the new H1N1 virus, and in
particular how many deaths might arise over the course of the pandemic,
are central to healthcare planning over the coming months, say experts
in a paper published on bmj.com today.
They will also help to influence decisions on whether to implement
social distancing measures such as school closures.
At first sight, the data appear to imply that this new Influenza A
(H1N1) virus is relatively mild, with case fatality ratios (the total
number of deaths due to the disease divided by the total number of
cases) around 0.5%, similar to the upper range of that seen for seasonal
influenza, and relatively low hospitalisation rates.
However, severity appears to vary substantially between countries and
fatal cases have been much younger than for seasonal influenza.
So researchers at Imperial College London analysed the difficulties
in assessing the severity of the new virus. They report that in most
infectious diseases there is a risk of bias towards diagnosis of more
severe and hospitalised cases, which overestimates the case fatality
ratio.
In contrast, some deaths caused by flu might not be recognised as
such, as flu infections can temporarily increase the risk of vascular
death, such as heart attacks and strokes. This causes an underestimation
of the case fatality ratio.
Another important source of bias arises from the time delay between
disease onset and death, which in the early phase of an epidemic can
lead to an underestimate of the case fatality ratio, they add.
In order to get a clear picture of the severity of the H1N1 virus, it
is vital to take these and other factors into account, say the authors.
They propose study designs and statistical analysis methods to improve
our ability to obtain reliable case fatality ratios.
Critically, they will ensure that any changes in the virulence of the
virus are rapidly detected so that mitigation policies are applied
appropriately, they conclude.
Dr Tini Garske, lead author of the study from the Medical Research
Council (MRC) Centre for Outbreak Analysis & Modelling at Imperial
College London, said: "Accurately predicting the severity of this swine
flu pandemic is a very tricky business, and our research shows that this
can only be achieved if data is collected according to well designed
study protocols and analysed in a more sophisticated way than is
frequently being performed at present.
"If we fail to get an accurate prediction of severity, we will not be
providing healthcare planners, doctors and nurses, with the information
that they need to ensure they are best prepared to fight the pandemic as
we head into the flu season this autumn."
Bookmark this page