Giuseppe
Emeritus
[Source: EuroFlu, full page: (LINK). Extracts, edited.]
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EuroFlu - Weekly Electronic Bulletin - Week 36 : 03/09/2012-09/09/2012 - 14 September 2012, Issue N? 455
Influenza activity in Europe at out-of-season levels
Until week 40/2012, the EuroFlu bulletin will be published fortnightly.
Outpatient surveillance for ILI and ARI
All 24 countries reporting data on intensity reported low intensity, but trends in clinical activity covered the ranges of increasing, decreasing and stable. For the geographical spread of influenza indicator, 24 countries reported no activity, while 1 country reported sporadic activity.
During week 36/2012, sentinel outpatient clinics collected 35 respiratory specimens, none of which tested positive for influenza virus.
Hospital surveillance for severe acute respiratory infection (SARI)
No data were reported for hospital-based sentinel surveillance of SARI in week 36/2012.
Virological overview
Specimens from non-sentinel sources yielded 3 influenza type B detections and 3 influenza type A detections in week 36/2012, 1 of which was subtyped as A(H1N1)pdm09.
Since week 21/2012, 542 influenza virus detections have been reported: 259 (47.8%) influenza A and 283 (52.2%) influenza B. Of the influenza A viruses, 143 (55.2%) were subtyped: 13 were A(H1N1)pdm09 and 130 A(H3N2).
Comment
Influenza activity is at out-of-season levels throughout the European Region. None of the 35 samples collected from sentinel sources was positive for influenza virus. Only 6 samples from non-sentinel sources were positive for influenza virus, indicating low influenza activity in the Region.
Further information
The Euro Flu bulletin describes and comments on influenza activity in the 53 countries in the WHO European Region. Further information can be obtained from the WHO/Europe and WHO headquarters web sites.
(?)
Country comments (where available)
Netherlands: 'Two Dutch travellers were infected with oseltamivir-resistant influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses with an H275Y neuraminidase substitution in early August 2012. Both cases were probably infected during separate holidays in Spain. No epidemiological connection between the two cases was found, and neither of them was treated with oseltamivir before specimen collection. Genetic analysis of the neuraminidase gene revealed the presence of previously described permissive mutations that may increase the likelihood of such strains emerging and spreading widely. For a detailed report see: http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=20266 '
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-Influenza activity in Europe at out-of-season levels
Until week 40/2012, the EuroFlu bulletin will be published fortnightly.
- This issue is based on data reported in week 36/2012 by 30 Member States in the WHO European Region.
- Consultation rates for influenza-like illness (ILI) and acute respiratory infection (ARI) are at low levels in all countries in the Region.
- None of the 35 specimens collected from sentinel sources tested positive for influenza virus .
Outpatient surveillance for ILI and ARI
All 24 countries reporting data on intensity reported low intensity, but trends in clinical activity covered the ranges of increasing, decreasing and stable. For the geographical spread of influenza indicator, 24 countries reported no activity, while 1 country reported sporadic activity.
During week 36/2012, sentinel outpatient clinics collected 35 respiratory specimens, none of which tested positive for influenza virus.
Hospital surveillance for severe acute respiratory infection (SARI)
No data were reported for hospital-based sentinel surveillance of SARI in week 36/2012.
Virological overview
Specimens from non-sentinel sources yielded 3 influenza type B detections and 3 influenza type A detections in week 36/2012, 1 of which was subtyped as A(H1N1)pdm09.
Since week 21/2012, 542 influenza virus detections have been reported: 259 (47.8%) influenza A and 283 (52.2%) influenza B. Of the influenza A viruses, 143 (55.2%) were subtyped: 13 were A(H1N1)pdm09 and 130 A(H3N2).
Comment
Influenza activity is at out-of-season levels throughout the European Region. None of the 35 samples collected from sentinel sources was positive for influenza virus. Only 6 samples from non-sentinel sources were positive for influenza virus, indicating low influenza activity in the Region.
Further information
The Euro Flu bulletin describes and comments on influenza activity in the 53 countries in the WHO European Region. Further information can be obtained from the WHO/Europe and WHO headquarters web sites.
(?)
Country comments (where available)
Netherlands: 'Two Dutch travellers were infected with oseltamivir-resistant influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses with an H275Y neuraminidase substitution in early August 2012. Both cases were probably infected during separate holidays in Spain. No epidemiological connection between the two cases was found, and neither of them was treated with oseltamivir before specimen collection. Genetic analysis of the neuraminidase gene revealed the presence of previously described permissive mutations that may increase the likelihood of such strains emerging and spreading widely. For a detailed report see: http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=20266 '
(?)
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