Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of influenza A(H1N1)v infection in children: The first 45 cases in Cyprus, June – August 2009

M Koliou; E S Soteriades; M M Toumasi; A Demosthenous; A Hadjidemetriou

doi:10.2807/ese.14.33.19312-en

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Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of influenza A(H1N1)v infection in children: The first 45 cases in Cyprus, June – August 2009
M Koliou^1,2 , E S Soteriades^2,3 , M M Toumasi¹ , A Demosthenous¹ , A Hadjidemetriou¹
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Affiliations: ¹ Archbishop Makarios Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Nicosia, Cyprus ² Cyprus Institute of Biomedical Sciences (CIBS), Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus ³ Harvard School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology (EOME), Boston, United States

Correspondence:
M Koliou
mkoliou spidernet.com.cy
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Citation style for this article: Koliou M, Soteriades E S, Toumasi M M, Demosthenous A, Hadjidemetriou A. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of influenza A(H1N1)v infection in children: The first 45 cases in Cyprus, June – August 2009. Euro Surveill. 2009;14(33):pii=19312. https://doi.org/10.2807/ese.14.33.19312-en Received: 14 Aug 2009

Abstract

Following the first imported case in a tourist in Cyprus on 2 June 2009, the influenza A(H1N1)v virus has spread on the island affecting mainly young adults and children. We describe here the first 45 cases in children. Fever, cough, rhinorrhoea and sore throat were the most common symptoms of infection. Half of the children had fever for one day or only for a few hours. Five children were hospitalised, and overall their symptoms were mild. Adherence to oseltamivir treatment was very high, with low frequency of gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea and vomiting. Camping places and summer schools played a significant role in spreading the infection among children of school age.