Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an infectious disease that spreads around the world in seasonal epidemics. As a major health threat, the flu causes substantial illness and death each year. Respiratory diseases, particularly pneumonia, are the number one killer of children in developing countries and most cases of pneumonia start with a viral infection like influenza. Information about seasonality and prevalence of influenza is crucial for development of effective prevention and control strategies, yet limited data exist on the epidemiology of influenza in tropical countries.
Launched in 2007, SSI’s Influenza Program is defining the burden and seasonality of influenza in Nicaragua, demonstrating that it is indeed a major problem in Nicaragua and that vaccination is needed. As part of the program, which is supported by the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health, nasal and throat swabs are collected from study participants who have flu-like symptoms and have been sick for four days or less. While the study has already revealed clear patterns of seasonality, multiple years of data will be needed for accurate information. This study will continue until at least June 2010. In addition to influenza testing, analysis for other respiratory diseases has been set up at the Ministry of Health. This capacity proved critical during a dramatic outbreak of what turned out to be Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in August 2008 that killed many infants.
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