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Seroepidemiologic effects of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore.

Trauer JM, Bandaranayake D, Booy R, Chen MI, Cretikos M, Dowse GK, Dwyer DE, Greenberg ME, Huang QS, Khandaker G, Kok J, Laurie KL, Lee VJ, McVernon J, Walter S, Markey PG, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore Pandemic Serosurveillance Study Group

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  • Journal Emerging infectious diseases

  • Published 03 Jun 2013

  • Volume 19

  • ISSUE 1

  • Pagination 92-101

  • DOI 10.3201/eid1901.111643

Abstract

To estimate population attack rates of influenza A(H1N1)pdm2009 in the Southern Hemisphere during June-August 2009, we conducted several serologic studies. We pooled individual-level data from studies using hemagglutination inhibition assays performed in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. We determined seropositive proportions (titer ≥40) for each study region by age-group and sex in pre- and postpandemic phases, as defined by jurisdictional notification data. After exclusions, the pooled database consisted of, 4,414 prepandemic assays and 7,715 postpandemic assays. In the prepandemic phase, older age groups showed greater seropositive proportions, with age-standardized, community-based proportions ranging from 3.5% in Singapore to 11.9% in New Zealand. In the postpandemic phase, seropositive proportions ranged from 17.5% in Singapore to 30.8% in New Zealand, with highest proportions seen in school-aged children. Pregnancy and residential care were associated with lower postpandemic seropositivity, whereas Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and Pacific Peoples of New Zealand had greater postpandemic seropositivity.