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. 2015 Jan;9(1):14-9.
doi: 10.1111/irv.12292. Epub 2014 Oct 24.

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

Tara Kessaram  1 , James Stanley, Michael G Baker
Affiliations

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

Tara Kessaram et al. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2015 Jan.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Mortality; influenza; statistical regression.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Seasonal pattern (and observed counts) for all medical cause mortality for ages 65 years and older, 1990–2008.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Poisson regression model estimates of influenza-associated mortality rates in those 65 years and over (based on all medical causes data); percentages of total identified influenza isolates by type and subtype, 1990–2008 (source: ESR).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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