Giuseppe
Emeritus
[Source: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), full page: (LINK). Edited.]
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Seasonal influenza continues to rise in Europe: still time to protect yourself and others
07 Jan 2013
The activity of seasonal influenza continues to rise in a number of European countries, especially in western Europe, concludes the latest Weekly Influenza Surveillance Overview, Week 52. There is still time to protect yourself from getting or spreading the flu by being vaccinated.
Influenza season on the rise
Four countries (France, Italy, the Netherlands and Norway) have reported medium intensity influenza transmission; geographic spread of influenza activity was reported as widespread by five countries (Belgium, Denmark, France, Norway and the UK (England)); and nine countries have reported increasing trends. The proportion of sentinel specimens that are positive for influenza has exceeded 20% for two consecutive weeks. Countries undertaking surveillance of laboratory-confirmed severe influenza cases are starting to report increasing numbers of such individuals having to be hospitalised.
So far the detected viruses remain well-matched to the vaccine strain and there has been no change in the viruses from what was seen last season. Since week 40/2012, 46% of sentinel specimens were type A and 54% were type B, though the proportion of B viruses has decreased somewhat in recent weeks. Subtying of type A viruses has shown proportions of 56% A(H3) and 44% A(H1).
Influenza should be taken seriously
Influenza comes to Europe every winter ? each year, around 10% of us are infected, and influenza-related complications cause hundreds of thousands of hospitalisations all across Europe. We can reduce the risk of getting influenza or transmitting it to others by a number of preventive measures, from applying better hand hygiene and not sneezing on others to staying at home when sick. Older people as well as those with chronic conditions suffer the most, but even perfectly healthy young people are at risk of developing serious complications, which can be fatal. Influenza-related deaths seen in recent weeks, for example, in Norway and Poland, have been reported in the media; sadly, they highlight what is unfortunately to be expected. Therefore people whose symptoms of the flu are worsening should seek medical advice as recommended by their national or local authorities.
Still time to get protected
The single most effective way to protect yourself as well as those around you is by getting vaccinated. Influenza transmission has significantly progressed since Week 48 when ECDC Director Marc Sprenger encouraged all Europeans who are recommended to have the influenza vaccine by their national authorities to get vaccinated. It is still not too late to do so now. Influenza vaccination is of particular importance for those in the recognised risk groups and for healthcare workers, as it protects their vulnerable patients as well as themselves.
Throughout the influenza season, ECDC continues to monitor the situation and provide weekly surveillance overview and maps on seasonal influenza activity in Europe.
Resources:
-07 Jan 2013
The activity of seasonal influenza continues to rise in a number of European countries, especially in western Europe, concludes the latest Weekly Influenza Surveillance Overview, Week 52. There is still time to protect yourself from getting or spreading the flu by being vaccinated.
Influenza season on the rise
Four countries (France, Italy, the Netherlands and Norway) have reported medium intensity influenza transmission; geographic spread of influenza activity was reported as widespread by five countries (Belgium, Denmark, France, Norway and the UK (England)); and nine countries have reported increasing trends. The proportion of sentinel specimens that are positive for influenza has exceeded 20% for two consecutive weeks. Countries undertaking surveillance of laboratory-confirmed severe influenza cases are starting to report increasing numbers of such individuals having to be hospitalised.
So far the detected viruses remain well-matched to the vaccine strain and there has been no change in the viruses from what was seen last season. Since week 40/2012, 46% of sentinel specimens were type A and 54% were type B, though the proportion of B viruses has decreased somewhat in recent weeks. Subtying of type A viruses has shown proportions of 56% A(H3) and 44% A(H1).
Influenza should be taken seriously
Influenza comes to Europe every winter ? each year, around 10% of us are infected, and influenza-related complications cause hundreds of thousands of hospitalisations all across Europe. We can reduce the risk of getting influenza or transmitting it to others by a number of preventive measures, from applying better hand hygiene and not sneezing on others to staying at home when sick. Older people as well as those with chronic conditions suffer the most, but even perfectly healthy young people are at risk of developing serious complications, which can be fatal. Influenza-related deaths seen in recent weeks, for example, in Norway and Poland, have been reported in the media; sadly, they highlight what is unfortunately to be expected. Therefore people whose symptoms of the flu are worsening should seek medical advice as recommended by their national or local authorities.
Still time to get protected
The single most effective way to protect yourself as well as those around you is by getting vaccinated. Influenza transmission has significantly progressed since Week 48 when ECDC Director Marc Sprenger encouraged all Europeans who are recommended to have the influenza vaccine by their national authorities to get vaccinated. It is still not too late to do so now. Influenza vaccination is of particular importance for those in the recognised risk groups and for healthcare workers, as it protects their vulnerable patients as well as themselves.
Throughout the influenza season, ECDC continues to monitor the situation and provide weekly surveillance overview and maps on seasonal influenza activity in Europe.
Resources:
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