Influenza-associated mortality for different causes of death during the 2010-2011 through the 2014-2015 influenza seasons in Russia

Influenza is known to cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, there is limited information on the volume of influenza-associated mortality in Russia. To address this gap, researchers used previously developed methodology to analyze data from the Russian Federal State Statistics Service and the Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza on monthly rates of mortality for respiratory causes, circulatory causes and certain infectious and parasitic diseases. Additionally, proxies for the incidence of influenza A/H3N2, A/H1N1 and B were also analyzed. The analysis revealed that influenza circulation was associated with an average annual 11,106 deaths (95% CI (4,321-17,892)) for circulatory causes; 4,552 deaths (3,744-5,360) for respiratory causes; and 343 deaths (63-624) for certain infectious and parasitic diseases during the 2010/11 through the 2014/15 seasons in Russia. Influenza A/H3N2 was responsible for most of the influenza-associated respiratory deaths while influenza B made a substantial contribution to influenza-associated mortality for circulatory causes. This study highlights the substantial mortality burden associated with influenza circulation in Russia - particularly for circulatory deaths - which supports the potential utility of influenza vaccination and administration of antiviral drugs during periods of active influenza circulation. The findings also point to the benefit of quadrivalent influenza vaccines given its role in circulatory mortality. Figures 4 and 5 provide visual representations of model fits for daily rates of circulatory deaths per 100,000 by month and daily rates of deaths for certain infectious and parasitic diseases per 100,000 by month in Russia from September 2010 through December 2015 respectively; showing the difference between red and green curves representing the contribution of influenza to mortality rates. Overall, this study provides important insights into the impact of influenza on mortality in Russia and underscores the need for continued efforts to prevent and control influenza outbreaks.

Influenza-Associated Mortality in Russia: A Closer Look

Influenza is a highly contagious virus that causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite its global impact, there is limited information on the volume of influenza-associated mortality in Russia. To fill this gap, researchers conducted an analysis of data from the Russian Federal State Statistics Service and the Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza to better understand the burden of influenza-associated mortality in Russia.

Methodology

The researchers used previously developed methodology to analyze monthly rates of mortality for respiratory causes, circulatory causes and certain infectious and parasitic diseases during 2010/11 through 2014/15 seasons. Additionally, proxies for incidence of influenza A/H3N2, A/H1N1 and B were also analyzed.

Findings

The analysis revealed that influenza circulation was associated with an average annual 11,106 deaths (95% CI (4,321-17,892)) for circulatory causes; 4,552 deaths (3,744-5,360) for respiratory causes; and 343 deaths (63-624) for certain infectious and parasitic diseases during the 2010/11 through 2014/15 seasons in Russia. Influenza A/H3N2 was responsible for most of the influenza-associated respiratory deaths while influenza B made a substantial contribution to influenza-associated mortality for circulatory causes. Figures 4 and 5 provide visual representations of model fits for daily rates of circulatory deaths per 100,000 by month and daily rates of deaths for certain infectious and parasitic diseases per 100 000 by month in Russia from September 2010 through December 2015 respectively; showing the difference between red curves representing baseline mortality rate without any contribution from flu season versus green curves representing additional death toll due to flu season activity each year.

Implications

This study highlights the substantial mortality burden associated with influenza circulation in Russia - particularly among those who suffer from cardiovascular disease - which supports potential utility of both vaccination against seasonal flu as well as administration antiviral drugs during periods when active cases are reported within population or community settings. The findings also point to benefit quadrivalent vaccines given its role preventing circulatory related fatalities caused by different strains circulating at same time period each year such as H1N1 & H3N2 or two different types B viruses which can be present simultaneously during some years depending on regional epidemiology patterns observed over time .

Overall this study provides important insights into impact flu has on overall health outcomes within Russian population , underscoring need continued efforts prevent & control outbreaks before they become widespread & cause further disruption public health systems across country .