Takeaway
- ECDC/WHO 2019 early influenza surveillance report highlights cocirculating influenza type A (H3N1), B/Victoria strains, noting their potentially serious effect on older age groups, health systems.
Why this matters
- Emphasize/encourage vaccine uptake among all patients, especially persons aged ≥60 years and those with cardiorespiratory conditions.
- Administer neuraminidase inhibitor antivirals to optimize outcomes.
- Ensure all health care staff are immunized.
Key points
- The 2019-2020 influenza season in the European region started earlier than the prior season, but it is too early to predict seasonal peak/severity/duration.
- At week 49/2019, dominant influenza virus type/subtypes varied.
- Influenza A was most dominant (71%, 18 countries or territories), whereas 6 countries (29%; Georgia, Latvia, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia) reported type B dominance, and 2 countries (France, Spain) reported codominant A, B strains.
- Sentinel sources:
- Of 700 type A viruses, 68%, 32% were A(H3), A(H1)pdm09, respectively.
- Of 288 type B viruses, 29% were reported with a lineage, 95% were B/Victoria.
- Influenza-like illness, acute respiratory infections are increasing and are above baseline values in 6 countries/territories (Croatia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, UK [Northern Ireland]).
- 383 hospitalized-confirmed influenza ICU cases, 5 countries (France, Ireland, Spain, Sweden, UK):
- 94% type A (71% A[H3], 29% A[H1]pdm09) mostly (16%) in ages <20 years.
References
References