EISS. EISS Weekly Report: Week 42, 2005. EISS
Summary: The intensity of influenza activity in Europe is low. Only two countries, Poland and Hungary, reported an increase in clinical activity in week 42/2005, but in both countries the incidence of influenza-like illness was low and remained at baseline levels. There have only been eight laboratory confirmed cases of influenza virus detected since week 36/2005: four in Wales, two in Poland, one in Czech Republic and one in England. No human cases of influenza A(H5N1) have been reported in Europe.
Epidemiological situation - week 42/2005: The intensity of clinical influenza activity was low in all countries reporting data to the European Influenza Surveillance Scheme (EISS). Only two countries, Poland and Hungary, reported an increase in clinical activity compared to week 41/2005, but in both countries the incidence of influenza-like illness was low and at baseline levels.
For the geographical spread of influenza (click here for the definitions), all countries reported no activity, meaning there was no evidence of influenza virus activity.
Virological situation - week 42/2005 and the 2005-2006 season: The total number of respiratory specimens collected by sentinel physicians in week 42/2005 was 223, of which two (0.9%) were influenza virus positive. The two positive specimens were influenza B and both were detected in Poland. In addition, 789 non-sentinel specimens (e.g. specimens collected in hospitals) were analyzed and none of these were positive for the influenza virus.
So far this season (week 36-42/2005), there have been eight influenza virus detections reported to EISS: four cases of influenza A (unsubtyped) and four cases of influenza B. The four cases of influenza A (unsubtyped) were reported in Wales (two), the Czech Republic (one) and England (one) and the four cases of influenza B were reported in Wales (two) and Poland (two). One case was from a sentinel physician (in the Czech Republic) and all other cases were from non-sentinel sources. No viruses have been antigenically and/or genetically characterized.
Comment: Based on data reported to EISS, influenza activity in Europe is at low (baseline) levels and there have only been sporadic laboratory confirmed cases of influenza since the start of the season. Among cases of influenza-like illness or acute respiratory infection from which a respiratory specimen (sentinel and non-sentinel sources) was taken between week 36 and week 42/2005 (N=3069), there have been only 8 (0.3%) reports of laboratory confirmed influenza.
As the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus A(H5N1) has been detected in birds in Europe (Croatia, Romania and Turkey) (click here), EISS started to collect data on the detection of the A(H5N1) virus in humans as of 14 October 2005. Up to week 42/2005 no human cases have been reported in Europe.
Background: The Weekly Electronic Bulletin presents and comments influenza activity in the 28 European countries that are members of EISS. In week 42/2005, 24 countries reported clinical data and 23 countries reported virological data to EISS. The spread of influenza virus strains and their epidemiological impact in Europe is being carefully monitored by EISS in collaboration with the WHO Collaborating Centre in London, UK.
Other bulletins: To view national/regional bulletins in Europe and other bulletins from around the world, please click here. For a global update on the influenza A(H5N1) situation, please click here.
Epidemiological situation - week 42/2005: The intensity of clinical influenza activity was low in all countries reporting data to the European Influenza Surveillance Scheme (EISS). Only two countries, Poland and Hungary, reported an increase in clinical activity compared to week 41/2005, but in both countries the incidence of influenza-like illness was low and at baseline levels.
For the geographical spread of influenza (click here for the definitions), all countries reported no activity, meaning there was no evidence of influenza virus activity.
Virological situation - week 42/2005 and the 2005-2006 season: The total number of respiratory specimens collected by sentinel physicians in week 42/2005 was 223, of which two (0.9%) were influenza virus positive. The two positive specimens were influenza B and both were detected in Poland. In addition, 789 non-sentinel specimens (e.g. specimens collected in hospitals) were analyzed and none of these were positive for the influenza virus.
So far this season (week 36-42/2005), there have been eight influenza virus detections reported to EISS: four cases of influenza A (unsubtyped) and four cases of influenza B. The four cases of influenza A (unsubtyped) were reported in Wales (two), the Czech Republic (one) and England (one) and the four cases of influenza B were reported in Wales (two) and Poland (two). One case was from a sentinel physician (in the Czech Republic) and all other cases were from non-sentinel sources. No viruses have been antigenically and/or genetically characterized.
Comment: Based on data reported to EISS, influenza activity in Europe is at low (baseline) levels and there have only been sporadic laboratory confirmed cases of influenza since the start of the season. Among cases of influenza-like illness or acute respiratory infection from which a respiratory specimen (sentinel and non-sentinel sources) was taken between week 36 and week 42/2005 (N=3069), there have been only 8 (0.3%) reports of laboratory confirmed influenza.
As the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus A(H5N1) has been detected in birds in Europe (Croatia, Romania and Turkey) (click here), EISS started to collect data on the detection of the A(H5N1) virus in humans as of 14 October 2005. Up to week 42/2005 no human cases have been reported in Europe.
Background: The Weekly Electronic Bulletin presents and comments influenza activity in the 28 European countries that are members of EISS. In week 42/2005, 24 countries reported clinical data and 23 countries reported virological data to EISS. The spread of influenza virus strains and their epidemiological impact in Europe is being carefully monitored by EISS in collaboration with the WHO Collaborating Centre in London, UK.
Other bulletins: To view national/regional bulletins in Europe and other bulletins from around the world, please click here. For a global update on the influenza A(H5N1) situation, please click here.
