Burden of influenza among hospitalized febrile children in Ghana. Issue 6 (27th October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hogan, Benedikt; Ammer, Luise; Zimmermann, Marlow; Binger, Tabea; Krumkamp, Ralf; Sarpong, Nimako; Rettig, Theresa; Dekker, Denise; Kreuels, Benno; Reigl, Lisa; Boahen, Kennedy G.; Wiafe, Charity; Adu‐Sarkodie, Yaw; Owusu‐Dabo, Ellis; May, Jürgen; Eibach, Daniel
• Is Part Of: Influenza and other respiratory viruses. Volume 11:Issue 6(2017)
• Page Start: 497
• Page End: 501
• Publication Date: 2017-10-27
• Subjects: Africa -- bacteremia -- children -- fever -- influenza -- malaria; Influenza -- Periodicals; Respiratory infections -- Periodicals; Virus diseases -- Periodicals; Influenza, Human -- Periodicals; Respiratory Tract Diseases -- Periodicals; Virus Diseases -- Periodicals; Grippe -- Périodiques; Appareil respiratoire -- Infections -- Périodiques; Maladies à virus -- Périodiques; 616.203
• DOI: 10.1111/irv.12507
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1750-2640

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Influenza surveillance data from Africa indicate a substantial disease burden with high mortality. However, local influenza data from district hospitals with limited laboratory facilities are still scarce. Objectives: To identify the frequency and seasonal distribution of influenza among hospitalized febrile children in a rural hospital in Ghana and to describe differential diagnoses to other severe febrile infections. Methods: Between January 2014 and April 2015, all children with a temperature of ≥38°C admitted to a district hospital in Ghana were screened for influenza A and B by RT‐PCR and differentiated to subtypes A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2). Malaria microscopy and blood cultures were performed for each patient. Results: A total of 1063 children with a median age of 2 years (IQR: 1‐4 years) were recruited. Of those, 271 (21%) were classified as severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and 47 (4%) were positive for influenza, namely 26 (55%) influenza B, 15 (32%) A(H1N1)pdm09, and 6 (13%) A(H3N2) cases. Influenza predominantly occurred in children aged 3‐5 years and was more frequently detected in the major rainy season (OR = 2.9; 95% CI: 1.47‐6.19) during the first half of the year. Two (4%) and seven (15%) influenza‐positive children were co‐diagnosed with an invasive bloodstream infection or malaria, respectively. Conclusion: Influenza contributes substantially to the burden of hospitalized febrile children in Ghana being strongly dependent on age and corresponds with the major rainy season during the first half‐year.