DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2018.v06i02.006

Pages: 489-492

Influenza A H1N1 virus emerged as pandemic worldwide in 2009 and its re-emergence has taken place in India in 2013.As Influenza A H1N1 is a newly mutated influenza strain, conventional anti-influenza vaccines and anti-viral drugs have not found to be effective. Oseltamivir and Zanamivir are the only Influenza A H1N1 antiviral drugs available, which are used both for prophylaxis and treatment. The present study is a prospective study conducted from the month of February 2017 to November 2017, among pediatric age group. The samples were tested by Real-Time PCR using CDC recommended reagents and protocol for confirmation of the H1N1 novel influenza virus. Out of 423samples processed by RT-PCR, a total of 40 samples (9.4%) were positive for influenza A (H1N1) virus. It is observed that influenza type A (H1N1) virus is prevalent in Hyderabad among pediatric group during the study period. Therefore surveillance data are important in the early detection of infection that may be helpful in global influenza vaccine preparation and for any pandemic preparedness activity.