Pediatrics & Therapeutics
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0665
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2161-0665
+44 1478 350008
Salah Thabit Al Awaidy
Ministry of Health, Oman
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Pediat Therapeut
A retrospective study of influenza-like illness (ILI) in Oman was completed to describe the epidemiology of pandemic influenza-A, subtype H1N1 activity (pH1N1). From June to December 2009, 8,941 specimens were collected nationwide from patients that met the case definition for ILI, of which 6,547 (73%) were tested for pH1N1 by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Out of these, 4,089 (62%) were found positive for pH1N1 and 712 (11%) were positive for seasonal influenza A. The mean age of patients positive for pH1N1 was 24 years (28 days-74 years). Out of the total patients who met the definition of severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) and required hospitalization, 28.3% were positive for pH1N1. The overall case fatality rate was 1.1 deaths/100,000 populations. Two governorates, Muscat and Dhofar, witnessed the greatest intensity of influenza activity. Mitigation, containment, pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical measures were engaged. Based on the experience and lessons learned in Oman, some recommendations were sought in Oman.
Salah Thabit Al Awaidy is a Communicable Diseases Adviser in Health Affairs, Ministry of Health, Oman. He is a medical doctor and holds a Master’s in Epidemiology. He is currently the adviser of Communicable Disease Surveillance, Elimination and Eradication of Communicable Diseases of Public Health Importance, EPI, vaccine supply chain system and IHR at the Ministry of Health, Oman. He was the Director of Communicable Disease Surveillance and Control at MoH, HQ, Oman between 1997-2011, IHR national focal point 2002-2013 and was a member in several of the professional committees namely: Strategic Advisory Group on Immunization (SAGE), WHO Geneva (2005-2007); Strategic Advisor Group on Vaccine and Store Management Training Courses (2005-2008), WHO Geneva; Strategic TB Advisory Board (STAG) 2007-2011 2014- till date. He also currently serves as IHR Emergency Committee on Polio and MERS-CoV. He has authored or been the co-author of over 35 publications on a large variety of health topics.
Email: salah.awaidy@gmail.com