Showing 12 results for Influenza
H Sabbaghian,
Volume 1, Issue 3 (2-2006)
Abstract
Zoonoses are disease and/or infection naturally transmissible between vertebrate animals and humans. Emerging zoonoses are defined by the WHO/FAO/OIE joint consultation on emerging zoonotic disease held in Geneva, 3-5 may 2004 as "diseases which are newly recognized or newly evolved or that have occurred previously but show an increase in incidence or expansion in geographical, host or vector range". The number of emerging zoonoses has increased dramatically over the last few decades, with potentially serious human and economic impact worldwide. Many factors are behind the emergence of these zoonotic diseases. Intensive animal husbandry and changes in the production and distribution of food and other commodities, climatic and environmental changes, rapid transportation of human and animals, changes in life style and increased animal contacts are some of the factors that could introduce a new disease in a particular area. Viral infectious agents are more prone to mutation and sudden or gradual change and expansion to new geographical areas or hosts. In this article we briefly discuss some of the zoonotic diseases which may have potential health effects in Iran, such as avian influenza, West Nile viruses, Rift Valley fever, Congo-Crimean hemorrhagic fever, Lassa fever, Sars, and Ebola Marburg hemorrhagic disease.
A Fadaee, F Mosaddegh, M Alimoradi, Ma Pourhoseingholi,
Volume 2, Issue 3 (3-2006)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: There are near two million people from around the world have planning to journey for Hadje ceremony. Old age, Crowding dormitory, close contact, poor sanitation, poor health services, different community pattern, high temperature and other factors cause the infectious diseases particularly respiratory infection more than ever Influenza occur more common and cause more discomfort during this ceremony. This study in 1381 Clear the effect of influenza vaccine compare with placebo in this group of population Pilgrimage group.
Methods: This study had interventional randomize clinical design on 156 pilgrims in Abhar City. The pattern of the cases selection for reducing of bias effect was every other pilgrim for vaccine injection. All of the cases before, during and three week after return back from this ceremony had close health services. All the pilgrims had private document for recording the events.
Results: About 147 of pilgrims experienced had pulmonary infection (93% in case and 96% in control). There was no difference in either cases or control groups
Conclusions: There is no benefit for using influenza vaccine other than its indications in the patients but it needs additional studies.
Mh Fallah Mehrabadi , Ar Bahonar, F Zaynolabedini Tehrani , M Vasfi Marandi , A Sadrzadeh, Sa Ghafouri, M Meshkat, F Masror,
Volume 10, Issue 4 (3-2015)
Abstract
Background and Objectives : Influenza is an acute, contagious, and zoonotic viral disease. It is caused by a virus of the Orthomyxoviridae family. This very infectious is caused by different subtypes of type A influenza virus in the poultry, turkey, and many other birds. In this study, the serum status of rural domestic poultry was investigated for influenza subtype H9N2.
Methods: This cross sectional study was done from August to October in 2013 in Iranian villages through sampling domestic poultry. The sampling was accidental and was done based on the GIS 11-digit code. In each village, blood samples were taken from at least 28 birds from different species. Then, ELISA was used for screening followed by the HI test. A total of 397 villages and 11546 birds (10145 chickens, 1413 ducks, 397 turkeys, 10 pigeons, and 175 other species) were sampled.
Results : Three hindered and forty nine (88%) out of 397 villages were positive on ELISA. In addition, 341 villages (86%) were positive and 56 (14%) were negative on the HI test for antibody titers. Also, among the considered variables, weather was a risk factor and the prevalence was significantly lower in villages near the rivers, lagoons and lakes (up to a radius of 3 Km).
Conclusion: The high seroprevalence of influenza H9N2 in rural domestic poultry indicates that the disease is becoming endemic. As there is no eradication policy for influenza H9N2 in Iran, using effective vaccines can reduce the infection with influenza virus in domestic and rural poultry.
Mh Fallah Mehrabadi , Ar Bahonar, F Tehrani, M Vasfi Marandi , A Sadrzadeh, M Shabani ,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (6-2016)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Influenza is an acute, highly contagious disease of a variety of both domestic and wild bird species. The aim of this study was to estimate subclinical infections or previous exposure to H5 and H7 subtypes and to discover potentially important determinants of the prevalence of this disease in industrial and backyard poultry in Iran.
Methods: A survey was conducted from September to December 2014 in Iran using a cross-sectional design throughout the entire country. The Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was used as the screening test and all ELISA-positive samples were examined with the HI test to differentiate H5 and H7. A total of 1378 places and 31547 birds were sampled.
Results: One place (bird garden) out of 1378 was positive for the H7 subtype and six places (2 bird gardens, 3 villages, and 1 ostrich farm) out of 1378 were positive for the H5 subtype on HI test. The results of this study showed that the presence of a lake (OR=12.20, CI 95% 2.19-68.09) and live bird marketing (11.73, CI 95% 1.32-104.42) were risk factors for the H5 subtype.
Conclusion: Sampling migratory waterfowl birds is recommended for early detection of probable infections and preventing the spread of infection to the backyard and industrial poultry because of their role in the transmission of the disease and probability of circulation of the virus.
K Jafari, M Karami, A Soltanian, N Esmailnasab,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (8-2016)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Syndromic surveillance systems are used to early detection of outbreaks. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of clinical and non-clinical data sources used in influenza syndromic surveillance in Zanjan.
Methods: In this time series study, clinical and non-clinical data related to influenza like illness (ILI) as a potential data source of syndromic surveillance systems, including the number of missed school days collected from 12 schools and the data of over the counter (OTC) drug sale obtained from 15 pharmacies selected randomly in Zanjan during 2014 were used. We used the line plot and moving average chart to explore trends and detect potential explainable patterns of data sources. The autocorrelation function and cross correlation function besides corresponding graphs were used to assess the feasibility of school absenteeism and OTC sale in timely detection of influenza outbreaks.
Results: Line plots indicated the presence of explainable patterns and the effect of the day of the week. The cross correlation value was 0.5 and cross correlogram revealed the similarity of both data sources in this study.
Conclusion: Our findings indicated the feasibility of influenza data sources, including school absenteeism and OTC, as potential data sources of syndromic surveillance systems.
M Karami, Sm Zahraei, Mm Gouya,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (2-2017)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The Haemophilus influenzae (Hib) conjugate vaccine (HibCV) using a pentavalent formulation was introduced to the Iranian routine immunization program from November 2014. Iran is preparing to include Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV), as well. Measuring and monitoring the impact of HibCV and PCV are necessary to provide evidence for introduction and sustained administration of this vaccine.
Methods: We addressed the possibility of implementing the "3-tiered approach to IB VPD surveillance" as proposed by the World Health Organization using a feasibility study. Expert opinions were asked to address published literature regarding the study design and methods of measuring the impact of newly introduced vaccines.
Results: There are different methods and study designs to measure the impact of new vaccines, including population based active surveillance systems and vaccine effectiveness studies. The results of the feasibility study and expert opinions highlighted the superiority of a sentinel hospital-based surveillance system in Iran.
Conclusion: It is necessary to conduct some systematic reviews and meta-analyses to provide evidence for the trend of Hib and Streptococcus pneumonia related diseases, i.e. invasive bacterial diseases including meningitis, pneumonia, and sepsis. To monitor indirect effects of the PCV vaccine, implementing periodic surveys on the prevalence of nasopharyngeal carriers are recommended.
S Mehdipour, F Zolala, M Hoseinnejad, R Zahedi, E Najafi, M , N Farrokhnia, M Fathi,
Volume 14, Issue 2 (9-2018)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Evidence suggests that underlying diseases increase the severity of influenza and lead to hospitalization or death. This study was conducted to determine the risk factors associated with hospitalization of patients in Afzalipour Hospital, Kerman, Iran during an outbreak of H1N1 influenza in December 2015.
Methods: In this case-control study, the case group comprised 85 patients who were hospitalized for influenza and the control group included 51 patients who had influenza symptoms and were discharged after required evaluations and check-up. The data were collected from both groups on a daily basis for two weeks. For data analysis, descriptive analysis, logistic regression analysis, Lasso Regression, and likelihood ratio were used. Analysis was performed using the Stata version 12 and R software.
Results: Among the variables examined, after removal of additional variables, 12 variables were introduced into the multivariate regression. The history of pulmonary disease and diabetes increased the odds of hospitalization following influenza by more than 11 (OR = 11.6, P. value = 0.003) and 9 times (OR = 9, P. value = 0.01), respectively.
Conclusion: Underlying disease and factors play a major role in exacerbating the disease. Therefore, the health system should take the necessary preventive measures when outbreaks occur.
Mh Fallah Mehrabadi, F Tehrani, A Bahonar, A Shoushtari, A Ghalyanchilangeroudi,
Volume 14, Issue 4 (3-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: HPAI has economic and public health importance. Aquatic and shore migratory birds are the main reservoirs and the cause of the spread of viruses across countries. The aim of study was risk assessment of the spread of the avian influenza H5 viruses.
Methods: In this qualitative study, structured interviews and focus group discussions were used to assess the risk of the introduction and spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (H5-subtypes) into Iran.
Results: Over 300 wetlands, natural and artificial lakes, ponds, and more than 517 bird species (swans, geese, ducks, and coots) are identified in Iran. Weakness in detecting virus entry windows, weakness in passive surveillance of migratory birds, inadequate supervision on hunting of migratory wild birds, movement of hunted birds without any criteria without the control of the Veterinary Organization, inability to monitor the supply of migratory birds in the LBMs, law weaknesses in dealing with offenders, lack of training for people, presence of suitable conditions for close contacts between wild birds and backyard and industrial poultry, and weakness of research on AI in migratory birds were the most important factors influencing the spread of these viruses.
Conclusion: HPAI will be one of the most important challenges for the poultry industry and public health. Solving this challenge requires national determination, overhead organizational views, collaborative and practical cooperation of related organizations, and short and long-term planning based on the realities of the country.
Z Baradaran Seyed , L Pishraft Sabet , Mh Fallah Mehrabadi ,
Volume 15, Issue 1 (5-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses are particularly important due to huge economic consequences and public health concerns. During recent years, because of the severity of epidemics and failure in the control and eradication of HPAI, vaccination has been introduced into the National Prevention and Control Program of some countries, including Iran. This article discusses the role of vaccination in the control of HPAI, the characteristics and constraints of the vaccine, types of commercial vaccines, and previous experiences.
Methods: Scientific databases were searched to collect essential evidence on the role of vaccination in controlling HPAI in a variety of poultry and birds with no time and language restrictions. The articles related to the efficacy and effectiveness of the commercial vaccines on at a national level or population-based studies in some farms were included in present study.
Results: Because of the high pathogenicity and variability of the influenza virus as well as the shortcomings of some commercial vaccines in prevention of virus transmission, vaccination should only be taken into consideration when all other methods of disease control are ineffective. The consequences of the use of vaccines containing the seeds non-antigenically matched with the circulating strains have been reported frequently.
Conclusion: In the national vaccination program, informed policymaking requires evidence based vaccinology that can facilitate development of the national infrastructure with awareness of the limitations of commercial vaccines and the realistic expectations of logistic, financial, and human resources.
Gh Moradi, Kh Rahmani, P Hemati, H Akbari, F Rezaei, M Dadras, B Amiri, H Erfani, M Soroush, S Darvishi, J Soltani, T Mokhtari Azad , Mm Gouya,
Volume 15, Issue 2 (9-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Iran, like most other countries in the world, is always threatened with global epidemics and pandemics of influenza. The purpose of this study was to review the influenza surveillance system in Iran.
Methods: Data of this study were obtained from the surveillance system of the Center for Communicable Disease Control, the review of records, documents, books and published articles and also interviews with process owners and experts of influenza surveillance in 2017-2019.
Results: Influenza surveillance in Iran Currently, a combination of surveillance methods, including caring for patients, laboratory care, hospital care and surveillance of respiratory disease epidemics and also border surveillance. Reporting of human influenza outbreaks, as well as suspected avian flu as main notifiable diseases carried out through telephone. For each suspect case, in addition to taking and sending a sample to diagnose and also detect subtypes of the virus, medical treatment is immediately initiated and tracking of possible contacts is also done.
Conclusion: Although there is currently good coherence in the surveillance of influenza in Iran, but based on concerns about the emergence of influenza pandemics in the future, and considering the possible genetic variation of the flu viruses, the tracking of the flu virus circulation along with updating surveillance system especially emphasizing methods and formulas for rapid identification of disease outbreaks, as well as providing better health care and treatment is essential.
K Mirzaie, Ah Shushtari, S Bokaie, Mh Fallah Mehrabadi , Sm Peighambari ,
Volume 16, Issue 4 (3-2021)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Avian influenza (AI) is one of the most important respiratory diseases in the poultry industry that causes huge economic impacts and plays an important role in public health. H9N2 Avian Influenza Virus (H9N2 AIV) has a broad circulation and causes endemic infections in the poultry industry of the country.
Methods: A cohort study was conducted from July 2016 to November 2017 in broiler chicken farms of Qazvin Province, Iran to detect H9N2 AIV infection determinants in broiler chicken farms.
Results: Sixteen out of 34 units that were included in the study had positive PCR results. Some variables such as “type of fence around the unit”, “biosecurity”, “cooling system status”, “mean maternal antibody titers”, “location height”, “proximity to public traffic lanes” and “number of units within a radius of 1 km” had significant effects on the infection occurrence in poultry units according to univariate statistical analyses (P<0.05). However, only two of them (“biosecurity” and “cooling system status”) were statistically significant in multi-variable analyses (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Biosecurity measures should be implemented more seriously and strictly in broiler farms to reduce the impact of H9N2 AIV infection.
T Arian-Mehr, M Karami,
Volume 17, Issue 4 (3-2022)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Timely dection of influenza outbreaks is very important for a better reponse to outbreaks. The aim of this study was to assess the moving epidemic method for determinating influenza outbreak threshold levels in Iran.
Methods: The moving epidemic method was applied to the WHO Flunet website data from January 2010 to December 2017 with the aim of determining outbreak alert thresholds. Therefore, the performance of the moving epidemic method in identifying the onset of the outbreak over eight periods was reported using sensitivity and specificity indices.
Results: A total of 69169 influenza-like illnesses were recorded in the Fluent website during the study period. The smallest number of influenza-like illnesses for the epidemic was 187 cases in the third period (2011-2012) and the maximum number was 1086 cases in the seventh period (2016-2015). The earliest epidemic occurred during the third and eighth periods of the 48th week, approximately in mid-February. The minimum duration of the epidemic was 8 weeks and the maximum was 13 weeks. The overall sensitivity and specificity of the moving epidemic method were 55% and 96%, respectively.
Conclusion: The moving epidemic method could be used as a complementary method to detection of influenza outbreks. It is recommended to apply the moving epidemic method on influenza and similar communicable diseses.
