An evidence synthesis approach to estimating the incidence of seasonal influenza in the Netherlands

Objectives To estimate, using Bayesian evidence synthesis, the age‐group‐specific annual incidence of symptomatic infection with seasonal influenza in the Netherlands over the period 2005–2007. Methods The Netherlands population and age group distribution for 2006 defined the base population. The number of influenza‐like illness ( ILI ) cases was estimated from sentinel surveillance data and adjusted for underascertainment using the estimated proportion of ILI cases that do not consult a general practitioner. The estimated number of symptomatic influenza ( SI ) cases was based on indirect evid... Mehr ...