Epidemiology Of Influenza A (H1n1)Pdm09-Associated Deaths In The United States, September-October 2009

Background From April to July 2009, the United States experienced a wave of influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 virus (H1N1pdm09) infection. The majority of the deaths during that period occurred in persons <65 years of age with underlying medical conditions.Objective To describe the epidemiology of H1N1pdm09-associated deaths in the US during the fall of 2009.Methods We collected demographic, medical history, and cause of death information on a nationally representative, stratified random sample of 323 H1N1pdm09-associated deaths that occurred during September 1October 31, 2009.Results Data were available for 302/323 (93%) deaths. Most cases (74%) were 1864 years of age and had =1 underlying medical condition (72%). Among cases aged <18 years, 16/43 (37%) had a chronic lung disease, and 15/43 (35%) a neurological disorder; among cases aged =18 years, 94/254 (37%) had a chronic lung disease and 84/254 (33%) had a metabolic disorder. The median number of days between symptom onset and death was six among children (range, 148) and 12 among adults (range, 0109). Influenza antiviral agents were prescribed for 187/268 (70%) of cases, but only 48/153 (31%) received treatment within 2 days of illness onset.Conclusions The characteristics of H1N1pdm09 deaths identified during the fall of 2009 were similar to those occurring AprilJuly 2009. While most cases had conditions that were known to increase the risk for severe outcomes and were recommended to receive antiviral therapy, a minority of cases received antivirals early in the course of illness.