Influenza Update N° 388

Overview

01 March 2021, based on data up to 14 February 2021

Information in this report is categorized by influenza transmission zones, which are geographical groups of countries, areas or territories with similar influenza transmission patterns. For more information on influenza transmission zones, see the link below:

Influenza Transmission Zones (pdf, 659kb)

• The current influenza surveillance data should be interpreted with caution as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has influenced to varying extents health seeking behaviours, staffing/routines in sentinel sites, as well as testing priorities and capacities in Member States. The various hygiene and physical distancing measures implemented by Member States to reduce SARS-CoV-2 virus transmission have likely played a role in reducing influenza virus transmission.
• Globally, despite continued or even increased testing for influenza in some countries, influenza activity remained at lower levels than expected for this time of the year.
• In the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere, influenza activity remained below baseline, though sporadic detections of influenza A and B viruses continued to be reported in some countries.
• In the temperate zone of the southern hemisphere, influenza activity was reported at inter-seasonal level.
• In the Caribbean and Central American countries, sporadic influenza detections were reported. Severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) activity was low in most reporting countries.
• In tropical South America, sporadic detections were reported in Colombia.
• In tropical Africa, influenza activity was reported in some reporting countries in Western, Middle and Eastern Africa in recent weeks.
• In Southern Asia, sporadic influenza detections were reported in India.
• In South East Asia, influenza A(H3N2) detections continued to be reported in most reporting countries.
• Worldwide, influenza B detections accounted for the majority of the very low numbers of detections reported.

National Influenza Centres (NICs) and other national influenza laboratories from 96 countries, areas or territories reported data to FluNet for the time period from 01 February 2021 to 14 February 2021 (data as of 2021-02-26 07:05:21 UTC). The WHO GISRS laboratories tested more than 237021 specimens during that time period. A total of 382 specimens were positive for influenza viruses, of which 137 (35.9%) were typed as influenza A and 245 (64.1%) as influenza B. Of the sub-typed influenza A viruses, 43 (52.4%) were influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and 39 (47.6%) were influenza A(H3N2). Of the characterized B viruses, 1 (0.5%) belonged to the B-Yamagata lineage and 182 (99.5%) to the B-Victoria lineage.

The WHO Consultation and Information Meeting on the Composition of Influenza Virus Vaccines for Use in the 2021-2022 Northern Hemisphere Influenza Season was held on 17-25 February 2021 in the format of virtual consultation. The recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2021-2022 northern hemisphere influenza season can be consulted at the following link: covid.comesa.int/influenza/vaccines/virus/recommendations/2021-22_north/en/.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO encourages countries to continue routine influenza surveillance, test samples from influenza surveillance sites for influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses where resources are available and report epidemiological and laboratory information in a timely manner to established regional and global platforms. Updated considerations for addressing disruptions in the influenza sentinel surveillance and extending to include COVID-19 wherever possible are available in the interim guidance, Maintaining surveillance of influenza and monitoring SARS-CoV-2 – adapting Global Influenza surveillance and Response System (GISRS) and sentinel systems during the COVID-19 pandemic surveillance of influenza and monitoring SARS-CoV-2 – adapting Global Influenza surveillance and Response System (GISRS) and sentinel systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Updated algorithms for testing of both influenza and SARS-CoV-2 for surveillance are also included.  

Source of data

The Global Influenza Programme monitors influenza activity worldwide and publishes an update every two weeks. The updates are based on available epidemiological and virological data sources, including FluNet (reported by the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System), FluID (epidemiological data reported by national focal points) and influenza reports from WHO Regional Offices and Member States. Completeness can vary among updates due to availability and quality of data available at the time when the update is developed.

¹It includes data only from countries reporting on positive and negative influenza specimens