Summary
The primary objectives of an influenza monitoring programme are early detection of an epidemic and the identification of the viruses responsible. The healthcare impact ofthe disease is often some time after the epidemic. In Belgium, data on the consequences of influenza are recorded weekly, which provides an early estimate of the severity of the epidemic.
Data collected during 3 influenza seasons (1993-95) showed that during the peak of the very moderate influenza A/H3N2 outbreak in 1993-94, general practitioner consultations for acute respiratory infections increased by 100%, work absenteeism by 56%, total sales of pharmaceuticals by pharmacists by 26% and overall mortality by 14%. From these data, we estimated that 498 400 working days were lost during the peak week in Belgium in 1993, and 848 excess deaths were observed during the whole of the 1993-94 epidemic. 12% of those who died were aged less than 60 years. Hospitalisation data must be included in the future in order to complete the information that is essential for formulating public health policies on influenza vaccination.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Snacken R, Lion J, Van Casteren V, et al. Five years of sentinel surveillance of acute respiratory infections (1985-1990): the benefits of an early warning system. Eur J Epidemiol 1992; 8: 485–90
Walckiers D, Sartor F, Snacken R. Infections respiratoires aigues et vente de medicaments. Rapport intermediaire relatifaux annees 1992 et 1993. IHE 1994. D/1994/2505/9: 34
Snacken R. Weekly monitoring of influenza–related mortality. Arch Publ Health 1993; 51: 28
Serfling RE. Methods for current statistical analysis of excess pneumonia–influenza deaths. Publ Health Rep 1963; 78: 494–506
Chevalier A, Luce D, Goldberg M. Sickness absence at the French National Electric and Gas Company. Br J Industr Med 1987; 44: 101–10
Kunst AE, Looman CWN, Mackenbach JP. Deteminanten van binnenjaarlijkse fluctuaties in de sterfte [in Dutch]. Tijdschr Soc Gezond 1991; 69: 123–31
Ashley J, Smith T, Dunnel K. Deaths in Great Britain associated with the influenza epidemic of 1989/90. Pop Trends 1992; 65: 16–20
Curwen M, Dunnel K, Ashley K. Hidden influenza deaths. BMJ 1990; 300: 896
Monto AS. Influenza: quantifying morbidity and mortality. Am J Med 1987; 82 (S6A): 20–5
Sprenger MJW, Diepersloot RJA, Beyer WEP, et al. Influenza related excess mortality in The Netherlands 1989-90. Lancet 1990; 336: 382
Tillet HE, Smith JWG, Gooch CD. Excess deaths attributable to influenza in England and Wales: age at death and certified cause. Int J Epidem 1983; 12: 344–52
Perez-Tirse J, Gross PA. Review of cost–benefit analyses of influenza vaccine. Pharmacoeconomics 1992; 2: 198–206
Schoenbaum SC. Economic impact of influenza. The individual’s perspective. Am J Med 1987; 82 (S6A): 26–30
Gavira FJ, Lardinois R. Cost–effectiveness analysis on influenza vaccination in a rural population (La Victoria, Cordoba) [in Spanish]. Med Clin (Bare) 1990; 94: 777–81
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Snacken, R. Weekly Monitoring of Influenza Impact in Belgium (1993–1995). Pharmacoeconomics 9 (Suppl 3), 34–37 (1996). https://doi.org/10.2165/00019053-199600093-00009
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00019053-199600093-00009