Estimates of seasonal influenza‐associated mortality in Bangladesh, 2010‐2012

BACKGROUND:Seasonal influenza-associated mortality estimates help identify the burden of disease and assess the value of public health interventions such as annual influenza immunization. Vital registration is limited in Bangladesh making it difficult to estimate seasonal influenza mortality. OBJECTIVES:Our study aimed to estimate seasonal influenza-associated mortality rates for 2010-2012 in Bangladesh. METHODS:We conducted surveillance among hospitalized patients with severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) for persons aged ≥5 years and severe pneumonia for children 60 years. During 2011-2012, the estimated influenza-associated mortality rate was 13 (95% CI 10-16) per 100 000 among children 60 years. CONCLUSIONS:We identified a substantial burden of influenza-associated deaths in Bangladesh suggesting that the introduction of prevention and control measures including seasonal vaccination should be considered by local public health decision-makers.