Epidemiology of Influenza-like Illness during Pandemic (H1N1) 2009, New South Wales, Australia

To rapidly describe the epidemiology of influenza-like illness (ILI) during the 2009 winter epidemic of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus in New South Wales, Australia, we used results of a continuous population health survey. During July September 2009, ILI was experienced by 23% of the population. Among these persons, 51% were unable to undertake normal duties for <= 3 days, 55% sought care at a general practice, and 5% went to a hospital. Factors independently associated with ILI were younger age, daily smoking, and obesity. Effectiveness of prepandemic seasonal vaccine was approximate to 20%. The high prevalence of risk factors associated with a substantially increased risk for ILI deserves greater recognition.