Influenza-associated hospitalization in a subtropical city.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The impact of influenza on morbidity and hospitalization in the tropics and subtropics is poorly quantified. Uniquely, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has computerized hospital discharge diagnoses on 95% of total bed days, allowing disease burden for a well-defined population to be accurately assessed.

Methods and findings

Influenza-associated morbidity and hospitalization was assessed by Poisson regression models for weekly counts of hospitalizations in Hong Kong during 1996 to 2000, using proportions of positive influenza types A (H1N1 and H3N2) and B isolations in specimens sent for laboratory diagnosis as measures of influenza virus circulation. We adjusted for annual trend, seasonality, temperature, and relative humidity, as well as respiratory sy

SUBMITTER: Wong CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1391978 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature