began to decrease, often coinciding with the new implementation of treatment to all cases of ILI (Figure A13-12).

At week 37 there were 538 confirmed deaths. The age distribution shows that most cases occurred in 40- to 59-year-old adults, but with importance given to the 0- to 9-year-olds for the years of life prematurely lost. However, it is emphasized that only the 20- to 39-year-old group shows female predominance due to the deaths of pregnant women (Figure A13-13). In the distribution of cases and deaths of pregnant women, it is observed that the number of deaths increased when treatment is only for disease mitigation; however, if treatment is implemented for all ILI cases, the number of deaths decreased (Figure A13-14).

Enhanced surveillance was implemented for cases and mortality from infection of the 2009-H1N1 influenza A virus in pregnant women through epidemiological clinical records. A “confirmed case” was defined as a case of acute respiratory illness or positive viral culture via real-time RT-PCR. From May 16, 2009, to July 31, 2009, 15 provinces reported 300 cases of 2009-H1N1 influenza A in pregnant women, 121 of which were confirmed and 85 (70.2 percent) of which were admitted to the hospital.

The incidence rate for 2009-H1N1 influenza A in pregnant women in the study period was 1.72 per 10,000, 1.28 per 10,000 versus the general population at risk (p 0.003). Pregnant women were twice as likely to be hospitalized

FIGURE A13-12 Distribution of SARI by epidemiological week of onset of symptoms, Argentina 2009 (n = 10,397 EW37).

SOURCE: Ministry of Health National Surveillance System.