Flu News Europe has published its week 12 (March 18-24) update. Excerpt:
• Of 45 countries reporting on geographic spread only 11, located in northern, southern, and western areas of the European Region, reported widespread activity. Specimens collected from individuals presenting with ILI or ARI to sentinel primary health care sites yielded an influenza virus positivity rate of 38%, similar to the rate of 39% in the previous week.
• Of 45 countries reporting on intensity, 41 reported baseline or low intensity. No countries reported high intensity levels.
• Influenza type A virus detections dominated with more A(H3N2) than A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses among sentinel and non-sentinel source specimens. Few influenza B viruses were detected.
• Of the specimens from patients with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) collected in week 12/2019 that were tested for influenza viruses, 21% were positive and almost all were type A.
• Pooled data from 22 Member States and areas reporting to the EuroMOMO project indicated that the excess mortality observed in previous weeks has returned to normal levels.
