Analysis Of Mexican Swine Flu Cases: Higher Risk Of Infection For Young People But Higher Mortality Rate In The Elderly
An article published Online First and in a future edition of The Lancet reports that a study of Mexican swine flu cases shows that infants and people aged 39 years and under are the most likely to get infected. However, elderly people have the highest swine flu mortality rates. The data covers the period up to July 31, 2009. The article is the work of Dr Victor Borja-Aburto, Mexican Institute for Social Security, Mexico City, Mexico, and colleagues.
The influenza surveillance system gathered information from April 28 to July 31, 2009 on patients with influenza-like illness who attended clinics that were part of the Mexican Institute for Social Security network. The authors analysed the reports. Findings indicate that by July 31, 63,479 cases of influenza-like illness were reported; 6,945 (11 percent) cases of H1N1 were confirmed. Of these, 6,407 (92 percent) were outpatients, 475 (7 percent) were admitted and survived, and 63 (less than1 percent) died. Individuals aged 10 to 39 years were the most affected with 3,922 cases (56 percent). The following mortality rates were recorded in other age groups:
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