Estimating influenza-associated mortality in New Zealand from 1990 to 2008

摘要

This study used Poisson regression modelling to estimate influenza-associated mortality in New Zealand for 1990–2008. Inputs were weekly numbers of deaths and influenza and RSV isolates. Seasonal influenza was associated with an average of 401 medical deaths annually from 1990 to 2008, a rate of 10·6 (95% CI: 7·9, 13·3) per 100 000 persons per year, which is 17 times higher than recorded influenza deaths. The majority (86%) of deaths occurred in those 65 years and over. There was no clear decline in influenza-associated mortality in this age group over the course of the study period.