Description of the situation
19 February 1998
Disease Outbreak Reported
Influenza is spreading in the northern hemisphere. The number of influenza virus isolates increased markedly in Canada during January and early February while USA experienced a widespread epidemic. In Asia, widespread activity is reported in Israel, Islamic Republic of Iran and Japan. Countries in Europe had low level of activity until late January but are now also reporting increasing influenza activity. The recommendations for the composition of the 1998-1998 influenza vaccine were issued 18 February (see Press Release below). The full report will be published in Weekly Epidemiological Record No. 9 on 27 February.