Flu News Europe 2014 - 2015 - Week 51

[Gert van der Hoek]

Week 49/2014

In week 49/2014, influenza activity remained low across the WHO European Region.

Twenty countries reported sporadic influenza activity and nine reported increasing trends in consultations for influenza-like illness (ILI) and/or acute respiratory infection (ARI).

Of the 848 specimens tested from sentinel ILI and ARI patients from 35 countries, 34 (4&#37 from 14 countries tested positive for influenza virus. At present, the predominant influenza virus subtype circulating is A(H3N2).

Two countries reported a total of 14 hospitalized laboratory-confirmed influenza cases that were admitted to intensive care units, similar to that in the previous week.

The characterization data in Europe show the same differences between most of the circulating A(H3N2) viruses and the virus used in the influenza vaccine, as also reported by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (http://emergency.cdc.gov/han/han00374.asp).

Season

Although an increasing number of countries reported sporadic influenza virus detections, there is no indication that the influenza season has started in the Region, which is normal for this time of year.

No indications of increased mortality have been reported through the European monitoring of excess mortality for public health action project (EuroMOMO – http://www.euromomo.eu).

Influenza virus detections in the region


Flu News Europe

[Gert van der Hoek]

dec 23 2014

Week 50/2014

• In week 50/2014, influenza activity in the WHO European Region remained low but was on the increase.
• Rates of consultations for influenza-like illness (ILI) and/or acute respiratory infection (ARI) rose in 24 countries and the percentage of positive sentinel specimens increased to 9%, from the average for the season since week 40 of 3%.
• At present, the predominant influenza virus is influenza A in both primary care and hospitalized cases. A(H3N2) is the predominant subtype in cases from primary care.
• The genetic characteristics of A(H3N2) viruses indicate that in Europe, as in the United States of America, there may be significant differences between circulating A(H3N2) viruses and the virus used in the influenza vaccine. Although this may affect the effectiveness of the A(H3N2) component of the vaccine, it is still important that people be vaccinated; see the WHO/Europe website (www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/communicable-diseases/influenza/news/news/2014/12/seasonal-influenza-vaccines-20142015-provide-protection-against-circulating-flu-viruses)

Season

• An increasing number of countries is reporting influenza virus detections.
• Influenza A(H3N2) has so far been the predominant virus. There are indications that circulating A(H3N2) virus strains may have drifted from the strain used in the vaccine. Although this does not change the recommendation to vaccinate risk groups, careful monitoring of the situation will be required, as well as ensuring dissemination of information to clinicians on treatment guidelines.
• No indications of increased mortality have been reported through the European monitoring of excess mortality for public health action project (EuroMOMO – http://www.euromomo.eu).

Influenza virus detections in the region

http://www.flunewseurope.org/

[Gert van der Hoek]

http://www.flunewseurope.org/

Week 51/2014

• In week 51/2014, influenza activity in the WHO European Region remained low but continued to increase in comparison with previous weeks.
• The numbers of consultations for influenza-like illness (ILI) and/or acute respiratory infection (ARI) were stable in week 51/2014, while the proportion of influenza virus-positive sentinel specimens increased slightly to 9%, from 8% in the previous week.The predominant influenza virus seen was type A in both primary care and other settings and in hospitalized influenza cases. A(H3N2) was the predominant subtype seen in primary care.
• The genetic characteristics of A(H3N2) viruses indicate that in Europe, as in the United States of America, the circulating A(H3N2) viruses differ significantly from the virus used in the influenza vaccine. Although this may compromise the effectiveness of the A(H3N2) component of the vaccine, it is still important that people be vaccinated; see the WHO/Europe website(https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-t...ng-flu-viruses).

Season

• More countries are reporting detection of influenza virus.
• Influenza A(H3N2) has so far been the predominant virus found in both primary care and other settings and in hospitalized influenza cases. Circulating A(H3N2) viruses appear to have drifted antigenically from the virus used in the vaccine. Although this does not change the recommendation to vaccinate groups at risk, the situation should be monitored carefully, and treatment guidelines must be disseminated to clinicians, including on use of antivirals. A(H3N2) is susceptible to the antivirals oseltamivir and zanamivir currently licensed in Europe.
• No indication of increased mortality has been reported in the European project for monitoring excess mortality for public health action (EuroMOMO: http://www.euromomo.eu).

Influenza virus detections in the region

[gsgs]

week 51/2016 : http://magictour.free.fr/eu1651.PNG