Salah Thabit Al Awaidy
Ministry of Health, Oman
Title: Progress towards measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome-elimination: Oman experience
Biography
Biography: Salah Thabit Al Awaidy
Abstract
A retrospective study of infl uenza-like illness (ILI) in Oman was completed to describe the epidemiology of pandemic infl uenza-A, subtype H1N1 activity (pH1N1). From June to December 2009, 8,941 specimens were collected nationwide from patients that met the case defi nition for ILI, of which 6,547 (73%) were tested for pH1N1 by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Out of these, 4,089 (62%) were found positive for pH1N1 and 712 (11%) were positive for seasonal infl uenza A. Th e mean age of patients positive for pH1N1 was 24 years (28 days-74 years). Out of the total patients who met the defi nition of severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) and required hospitalization, 28.3% were positive for pH1N1. Th e overall case fatality rate was 1.1 deaths/100,000 populations. Two governorates, Muscat and Dhofar, witnessed the greatest intensity of infl uenza activity. Mitigation, containment, pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical measures were engaged. Based on the experience and lessons learned in Oman, some recommendations were sought in Oman.