2010 Volume 54 Issue 3 Pages 219-228
The occurrence of human-human infection with the new influenza A(H1N1) virus (AH1pdm) was reported for the first time in the United States in late April 2009. Sequentially, pandemic AH1pdm was reported worldwide. Laboratory examinations to detect AH1pdm genes in the specimens of patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) were performed with real-time RT-PCR and conventional RT-PCR at my institute in Osaka City. The first case of AH1pdm genes detection in an ILI patient specimen occurred on April 30, 2009. The number of ILI patient specimens examined increased in May 2009, and 37-120 specimens per month were examined from May to December 2009. In Osaka City, the pandemic of AH1pdm began in July 2009 and the pandemic peak was observed in November 2009. Thereafter, the number of ILI patients with AH1pdm infection decreased gradually and the pandemic of AH1pdm was close to exhausted in March 2010. As it is not possible to estimate the pandemic pattern of AH1pdm in the future, strict surveillance for AH1pdm must be performed with other seasonal influenza viruses.
