Lessons learned from H1N1 virus pandemic

Please find attached a media release re a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

ADHB Media Release

09 October 2009

Embargoed until 1000 09 October 2009

Lessons learned from H1N1 virus pandemic

For the first time a comprehensive study has now revealed the impact of the complications of swine flu on the health of the general public. The lessons learned in Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Units from the impact of the H1N1 2009 influenza (swine flu) virus has been published today in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The three-month study, conducted at the height of the pandemic reveals that 722 patients were admitted to ICUs, including 96 in New Zealand, and that at the peak of the epidemic up to 20% of ICU beds were occupied by patients admitted because of infection with swine flu.

The study was co-coordinated by the Monash University-based Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Research Centre (ANZIC-RC). The study involved all Intensive Care Units in Australia and New Zealand with the affected patients being treated in 109 of these intensive care units. The study was conducted utilising the resources of the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Clinical Trials Group (ANZICS CTG).

Dr Colin McArthur, from the Department of Critical Care Medicine at Auckland City Hospital and chair of the New Zealand ICU influenza advisory group, said the impact of the virus on intensive care units at hospitals across Australia and New Zealand was dramatic.

“Intensive care units specialize in the management of patients with life-threatening illness and thesurge of patients with H1N1 influenza placed substantial strain on staff and resources. The most severely affected patients had pneumonia affecting both lungs that was caused by the virus. The number of patients and the long stays in ICU required by some patients stretched the resources of many hospitals in both countries” says Dr. McArthur.

Clinical Associate Professor Steve Webb, from the Intensive Care Unit at Royal Perth Hospital, led the project and said the information which surfaced from the study will benefit other countries about to head into their winter.

“Unlike previous “seasonal” influenza strains, which impact heavily on elderly people and people with severe coexisting medical conditions, the H1N1 virus affected a different profile. Critical illness due to swine flu was commonest in infants and middle aged people; with pregnant patients, the obese, and Pacific Island, Maori and Aboriginal patients being particularly affected. Overall, about one third of patients admitted to an Intensive Care Unit because of swine flu had no underlying health problems,” says Associate Professor Webb.

Professor Rinaldo Bellomo, Foundation Chair of the ANZICS CTG and Director of Intensive Care Research at Austin Health in Melbourne says the results of the study will be shared with health authorities in other countries to assist them better prepare for their flu season.

“We have come through our flu season and our assessment of the impact of the H1N1 strain will assist them prepare for any outbreak. The H1N1 virus has taken hold in many countries already, but many countries in the Northern Hemisphere will benefit from the lessons we have learned,” says Professor Rinaldo Bellomo.

“Fortunately a vaccine will soon be available to help prevent infection with swine flu and its complications and this study will also assist countries in deciding how best to protect their populations” he says.
 
ENDS

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