H1N1 official report

The definitive report is out

The World Health Organisation has released their definitive report on H1N1. Published more than a year after the initial outbreak began, in the latest addition of the New England Journal of Medicine, the report confirms that the largest cross-sections of society affected by the virus, are children and young adults. This is in total contrast to normal influenza - which primarily affects the elderly (according to CDC estimates, between 36,000 and 40,000 people are killed every year by garden-variety seasonal flu).

Pregnant women in their second and third trimesters have also been identified as one high risk category. However, the biggest discovery which the report underlines, is the fact that the strain can affect healthy adults, understanding why, will be the next challenge for the experts.

Geographically speaking, the document also highlights how the virus spread outside of the usual flu season in the northern hemisphere, as well as new risk categories - such as obesity - never associated with flu previously.

The pandemic that never happened

Although the H1N1 never caused the mass deaths predicted, experts are hoping to learn from this comprehensive examination of the pandemic. Dr. Mary desVignes-Kendrick, a research scientist in epidemiology and biostatistics at Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health in Houston, views the flu strain as warning for the future: "It's a wake-up call that we have to be vigilant and have to keep searching for clues and ways to detect it early."

Certainly since the outbreak began, the fatalities have been much lower than predicted, so this begs the question of what will happen next? Research scientist predict that H1N1 will continue to ebb and flow in its outbreaks - taking into account highly populated areas which are most likely to see cluster outbreaks.

In order to be better prepared, scientists say the next stage for dealing with future outbreaks is observing the new flu season, starting in the Southern Hemisphere.

Although the vaccines will continue to be available - as we reported previously - many people have found it difficult to get vaccinated. So hopefully, this latest consolidation of all the findings on H1N1 will at least help ensure those most of risk are given better access to vaccines.

Relevant articles:

Swine flu vaccination begins | Can swine-flu infect deep inside lungs? | GSK adaptable on H1N1 vaccine

Suzanna Ball

Suzie completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from Cardiff University in 2008. Since her freelance career started in 2005, she has written for over 14 publications covering many subjects ranging from beauty/fashion to business advice.

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