TY - JOUR AU - Cohen, Cheryl AU - Walaza, Sibongile AU - Viboud, Cecile AU - Cohen, Adam AU - Madhi, Shabir AU - Venter, Marietjie AU - von Mollendorf, Claire AU - Moyes, Jocelyn AU - McAnerney, Johanna AU - Tempia, Stefano T1 - Deaths Associated with Respiratory Syncytial and Influenza Viruses among Persons ≥5 Years of Age in HIV-Prevalent Area, South Africa, 1998–2009 T2 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal PY - 2015 VL - 21 IS - 4 SP - 600 SN - 1080-6059 AB - We estimated deaths attributable to influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among persons >5 years of age in South Africa during 1998–2009 by applying regression models to monthly deaths and laboratory surveillance data. Rates were expressed per 100,000 person-years. The mean annual number of seasonal influenza–associated deaths was 9,093 (rate 21.6). Persons >65 years of age and HIV-positive persons accounted for 50% (n = 4,552) and 28% (n = 2,564) of overall seasonal influenza-associated deaths, respectively. In 2009, we estimated 4,113 (rate 9.2) influenza A(H1N1)pdm09–associated deaths. The mean of annual RSV-associated deaths during the study period was 511 (rate 1.2); no RSV-associated deaths were estimated in persons >45 years of age. Our findings support the recommendation for influenza vaccination of older persons and HIV-positive persons. Surveillance for RSV should be strengthened to clarify the public health implications and severity of illness associated with RSV infection in South Africa. KW - Influenza KW - viruses, respiratory syncytial virus, RSV, HIV, human immunodeficiency virus, mortality rates, deaths, South Africa KW - viruses KW - respiratory syncytial virus KW - RSV KW - HIV KW - human immunodeficiency virus KW - mortality rates KW - deaths KW - South Africa DO - 10.3201/eid2104.141033 UR - https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/21/4/14-1033_article ER - End of Reference