[Critically ill patients with 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infection in Spain: factors associated with death, April 2009-January 2010].

Background: It is necessary to analyse the severe cases of pandemic influenza infection in order to identify vulnerable populations and adapt prevention and control policies accordingly. We analysed the clinical and epidemiological characteristics and risk factors associated with death in patients with 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infection hospitalised in intensive care units (ICUs) in Spain and reported from 24 April 2009 to 31 January 2010.

Methods: As part of the national strategy for surveillance of hospitalized cases with pandemic influenza, cased-based clinical and epidemiological information on all cases admitted to an ICU with 2009 pandemic virus (H1N1) infection was collected nationwide.

[Enhanced surveillance of initial cases of pandemic influenza (H1N1) 2009 infection in Spain, April-June 2009].

Background: In April 2009, a new surveillance strategy for the detection of cases of pandemic influenza (H1N1) 2009 infection and for the implementation of appropriate control measures to contain its transmission was initiated in Spain. We describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of confirmed cases in Spain notified by the National Epidemiological Surveillance Network from April 24 to June 30, 2009.

Methods: As part of the initial surveillance response to the pandemic, case-based clinical and epidemiological information was collected nationwide on cases under investigation for pandemic virus (H1N1) 2009 infection and their contacts.

[Epidemiological surveillance activities during the 2009 influenza pandemic in Spain: lessons learnt one year after].

In this article the actions taken in the area of epidemiological surveillance in Spain during the influenza pandemic and the recommendations drawn from them during the progression of the pandemic are reviewed. The performance of the Surveillance Subcommittee established in the National Influenza Preparedness and Response Plan was central to the coordination of these activities. The Surveillance Subcommittee was immediately activated when the alert was issued.

Evolution of anti-influenza vaccination coverage in Spain from 1993 to 2001.

Unlabelled: The objective of this study is to describe the evolution of anti-influenza vaccination coverage in Spain from 1993 to 2001. We analysed 55,040 questionnaires taken from the Spanish National Health Surveys from the years 1993, 1995, 1997 and 2001. The reply to the question "Did you vaccinate yourself against influenza during the last campaign?" is the dependent variable.

[Evolution of the degrees of influenza vaccine (flu shot) coverage in Spain throughout the 1993-2001 period. Analysis by Autonomous Communities].

Background: Influenza (flu) is a disease involving a high morbidity which takes a high toll on healthcare costs for which there is an effective vaccine available. This study is aimed at evaluating the evolution of the different degrees of influenza vaccine (flu shot) coverage in Spain by Autonomous Communities during the 1993-2001 period.

Methods: A total of 42,123 cases from the National Health Survey (NHS) for the years 1993 (n=21,051) and 2001 (n=21,072) were analysed, all of which corresponded to non-institutionalised Spanish adults over 15 years of age.

[A study of whooping cough epidemic outbreak in Castellon, Spain].

Background: Based on the report of several cases at one school, a study of an epidemic outbreak was started for the purpose of characterizing this outbreak from the person, place and time standpoint, calculating the effectiveness of the immunization and the concordance of the cases with the positive result of the serological study.

Methods: A "case" is defined as being that individual who has a cough fasting for two weeks. A study is made of the spread of the disease by means of the epidemic curve and the effectiveness of the pertussis vaccine.