Trends, patterns, and incidence rate of seasonal influenza among Dubai population and some associated factors, 2017-2-19
Authors: Hussain Hamid 
Published: May 2021

Background: WHO estimates that seasonal influenza may result in 290 000-650 000 deaths each year due to respiratory diseases alone. In addition, affected more than 10% of total population annually worldwide, Seasonal influenza is highly contagious disease; spreads easily, with rapid transmission in crowded areas including schools and nursing homes. Objectives: To Study incidence rate, trends and patterns of seasonal influenza among Dubai population for the period 2017-2019, to Study some of the associated factors. Materials & Subjects: A retrospective records review study was carried out of convenience sample of 29158 confirmed seasonal influenza case reported in Emirate of Dubai for the period 2017-2019. All age groups, genders, nationalities, occupations, education and seasons were considered. Findings: The study showed that 53.42% of total seasonal influenza cases were among male groups in Dubai, almost 50% % of the cases were among age group less than 15 years old, and almost one quarter of cases were among the age group between 30-40 years old, the present study showed that 54.37% were among Asian groups, 14.59% of the seasonal influenza incidence in Dubai during 2017-2019 were among Emirati population and 18.79% were among Arabs groups .As per occupation, the study showed that 30.74% of total seasonal influenza cases were among students in Dubai, on the other hand the study revealed that 84.53% of the total seasonal influenza cases during 2017-2019 were handled at outpatient level, yet 15.47% were sever enough cases to be admitted and treated at inpatient facilities. Incidence rate per 100000 population were increased respectively from 2017 through out 2019 (168, 297,466). The study revealed as well that the rate as per nationality the seasonal influenza incidence rate in Dubai from 2017=2019 650/100000 among Jordanian living in Dubai,, almost 50% % of the cases were among age group less than 15 years old, and almost one quarter of cases were among the age group between 30-40 years old, the present study showed that 54.37% were among Asian groups, 14.59% of the seasonal influenza incidence in Dubai during 2017-2019 were among Emirati population and 19.71% were among Arabs groups . The study showed that 30.74% of total seasonal influenza were students in Dubai, 84.53% of the total seasonal influenza cases during 2017-2019 were managed at outpatient. yet 15.47% were sever enough cases to be admitted and treated at inpatient level of different health care facilities in Dubai. Incidence among Egyptian was 557/100000, while among Emirates, 325 /100000, Incidence rate of seasonal influenza 2017-2019 according to age distributions showed that 30.7%among students, and 7.8%among children preschool age, and 5.22%among housewives. The present study showed that the incidence rate of seasonal influenza in Dubai in 2017-2019 as per moth distributions was the highest, 21.4%in November followed by 18.2%in December, and the least was 2%in July. Conclusions: incidence rate of seasonal influenza in Dubai keep increasing during the last three years, the highest rates significantly come from children segment of population specially students and elderly group as well, the period from October to end of February of each years.