BACKGROUND: Acute @entity1729 (ARIs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Influenza typically contributes substantially to the burden of ARI, but only limited data are available on @entity683 activity and seasonality in Jordan. METHODS: Syndromic case definitions were used to identify individuals with severe @entity1729 (SARI) admitted to four sentinel hospitals in Jordan. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs were tested for @entity683 using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and typed as @entity683 or B, with @entity683 further subtyped. RESULTS: From January 2008-February 2014, 2,891 SARI cases were tested for @entity683 , and 257 (9%) were positive. While 73% of all SARI cases were under five years old, only 57% of @entity683 -positive cases were under five years old. Eight (3%) @entity683 -positive cases died. An annual seasonal pattern of @entity683 activity was observed. The proportion of @entity683 -positive cases peaked during November-January (14-42%) in the non-pandemic years. CONCLUSIONS: Influenza is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality in Jordan. The seasonal pattern of @entity683 aligns with known Northern Hemisphere seasonality. Further characterization of the clinical and financial burden of @entity683 in Jordan will be critical in supporting decisions regarding disease control activities. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Influenza Hospitalization Epidemiology from a Severe Acute XXXX Surveillance System in Jordan, January 2008-February 2014.

@entity683 :: ('MESH:D007251', 'Disease') :: ['influenza A', 'influenza'] @entity1729 :: ('MESH:D012141', 'Disease') :: ['respiratory infections', 'acute respiratory infections']
@entity1729 :: (MESH:D012141,Disease) :: ['Respiratory Infection']
