Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.37797/ig.42.3.1
Surveillance of influenza morbidity and mortality in Požega-Slavonia County from 2014 to 2022
Ivona Kusulja
orcid.org/0009-0009-1135-7914
; Zavod za javno zdravstvo Požeško-slavonske županije, Požega, Hrvatska
*
Radovan Vodopija
orcid.org/0000-0002-5645-8286
; Nastavni zavod za javno zdravstvo „Dr. Andrija Štampar“, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Rok Čivljak
orcid.org/0000-0001-8766-7438
; Klinika za infektivne bolesti „Dr. Fran Mihaljević“, Zagreb, Hrvatska; Medicinski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska; Medicinski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Nataša Antoljak
orcid.org/0000-0002-0713-2810
; Hrvatski zavod za javno zdravstvo, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Ante Vitalia
; Zavod za javno zdravstvo Požeško-slavonske županije, Požega, Hrvatska
Valerija Nožarić
; Zavod za javno zdravstvo Požeško-slavonske županije, Požega, Hrvatska
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Influenza is an acute respiratory system disease caused by influenza viruses. It occurs annually in the form of smaller or larger epidemics and causes significant morbidity and excess mortality worldwide. It is characterized by various complications, especially in the elderly. It causes health, social, and economic problems. Thus, it is a significant public health problem.
The objective of this study is to show the morbidity and mortality of influenza in Požega-Slavonia County from 2014/2015 season to 2021/2022. The weekly trend of influenza cases and incidence by age groups are shown based on influenza reports collected at the Institute of Public Health of Požega-Slavonia County from the 2014/2015 to 2021/2022 season. The number and data of influenza death cases were taken from the National Public Health Information System. Vaccine consumption data were taken from seasonal vaccine consumption reports. In the observed eight-year period, Požega-Slavonia County received an average of 263 influenza reports per season. Children of school and preschool age are most often affected. The incidence rate is lowest in people aged 65 and older, but they also have the highest mortality rate. In the observed period, all persons who died from influenza were female (N=5), and the majority of those who died (80%) were not vaccinated against influenza. Influenza immunization rates in Požega-Slavonia County in all seasons are far below the coverage recommended by the WHO. In the 2021/2022 season, a descending trend in the response to influenza immunization was recorded. Influenza immunization is a key tool for reducing influenza morbidity and mortality. It is necessary to invest great efforts in educating the public and healthcare professionals about the importance of vaccination in order to achieve greater effectiveness.
Keywords
vaccination; influenza; incidence; mortality
Hrčak ID:
332737
URI
Publication date:
25.7.2025.
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