Virological surveillance of influenza viruses in the WHO European Region in 2019/20 - impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Virological surveillance of influenza viruses in the WHO European Region in 2019/20 - impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Euro Surveill. 2020 Nov;25(46):
Authors: Melidou A, Pereyaslov D, Hungnes O, Prosenc K, Alm E, Adlhoch C, Fielding J, Sneiderman M, Martinuka O, Celentano LP, Pebody R, WHO European Region influenza surveillance network, WHO European Region Influenza Surveillance Network author list
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the 2019/20 WHO European Region influenza surveillance. Compared with previous 4-year averages, antigenic and genetic characterisations decreased by 17% (3,140 vs 2,601) and 24% (4,474 vs 3,403). Of subtyped influenza A viruses, 56% (26,477/47,357) were A(H1)pdm09, 44% (20,880/47,357) A(H3). Of characterised B viruses, 98% (4,585/4,679) were B/Victoria. Considerable numbers of viruses antigenically differed from northern hemisphere vaccine components. In 2020/21, maintaining influenza virological surveillance, while supporting SARS-CoV-2 surveillance is crucial.
PMID: 33213683 [PubMed - in process]

Source: Euro Surveill - November 1, 2020 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Melidou A, Pereyaslov D, Hungnes O, Prosenc K, Alm E, Adlhoch C, Fielding J, Sneiderman M, Martinuka O, Celentano LP, Pebody R, WHO European Region influenza surveillance network, WHO European Region Influenza Surveillance Network author list Tags: Euro Surveill Source Type: research