Weeks 52/2018 (2430 December 2018)
- Influenza activity continued to increase in the European Region. Of the individuals sampled after presenting with ILI or ARI to sentinel primary healthcare sites, 37% tested positive for influenza viruses.
- The majority of influenza virus detections were type A in both inpatients and outpatients.
- From sentinel samples, influenza A(H3N2) and A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses were detected in similar proportions.
- From non-sentinel samples, about two third of the A viruses were A(H1N1)pdm09.
- Most of the hospitalized laboratory confirmed influenza infections were associated with A(H1N1)pdm09 virus and were in persons aged 15-64 years.
- The predominant A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) viruses that are circulating match the vaccine components, although fewer than 50 A(H3N2) viruses have been genetically characterized and only 13 have been antigenically characterized so far.
- Data from the 13 Member States and areas reporting to the EuroMOMO project indicated all-cause mortality was at expected levels for this time of year.
- Influenza activity in Europe is increasing, with both A viruses circulating widely. Countries should continue to encourage vaccination.
- The northern hemisphere Vaccine Composition Meeting for 20192020 has been planned for 1820 February 2019 in Beijing, China. For more information see here.
Comment