ECDC EXECUTIVE UPDATE 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) Issue 30, Monday, 16 February 2010: 2,678 (+44) deaths in EU and EFTA countries
ECDC EXECUTIVE UPDATE
2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1)
Issue 30 Monday, 16 February 2010
Weekly influenza surveillance overview highlights
? The 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic is well past its peak in EU/EEA countries. In eight countries (the majority of which are in Eastern Europe), local or regional transmission of the pandemic virus continues at low to medium intensity.
? Elsewhere intensity was low, but sporadic transmission of the pandemic virus was reported in the majority of countries.
? Of the 910 specimens collected by sentinel physicians, 76 (8.4%) were positive for influenza virus, mainly the pandemic virus; this is consistent with a declining trend.
? In contrast to the pandemic virus there is currently no evidence of virus circulation due to other influenza A viruses, but there is some circulation of influenza B viruses.
? The number of reported severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) cases continued to decline. Of the 39 SARI cases for whom underlying conditions were documented, nine (23%) had no known underlying condition.
The ECDC Weekly influenza surveillance overview is published on Friday afternoons on the 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) web page (see ?latest publications?).
Updates from Eurosurveillance
In Eurosurveillance, Volume 15, Issue 6, 11 February 2010, the following articles related to the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic were published: (...)
Impact of the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic wave on the pattern of hibernal respiratory virus epidemics, France, 2009.
Casalegno JS, Ottmann M, Bouscambert-Duchamp M, Valette M, Morfin F, Lina B.
Low acceptance of vaccination against the 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) among healthcare workers in Greece.
Rachiotis G, Mouchtouri VA, Kremastinou J, Gourgoulianis K, Hadjichristodoulou C.
Household transmissibility and other characteristics of seasonal oseltamivir-resistant influenza A(H1N1) viruses, Germany, 2007-8.
Buchholz U, Brockmann S, Duwe S, Schweiger B, an der Heiden M, Reinhardt B, Buda S.
Scientific advances
Experience and lessons from surveillance and studies of the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic in Europe
Surveillance and studies in a pandemic can be considered in four components: early detection and investigation; comprehensive early assessment; monitoring and rapid investigation of the effectiveness; and impact of countermeasures. A review from ECDC authors argues that early experience of the 2009 pandemic suggests that while some components worked well, this was not the case for all and that a careful evaluation of the work is needed to be better prepared for future pandemics.
Nicoll A, Ammon A, Amato Gauci A et al. Experience and lessons from surveillance and studies of the 2009 pandemic in Europe. Public Health. 2010 January; 124(1):14?23
(?)
ECDC: Number of new and cumulative confirmed fatal 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) cases in EU and EFTA countries, as of Week 06 ? 2010 (Updated 15 February 2010): 2,678 (+44)
ECDC EXECUTIVE UPDATE
2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1)
Issue 30 Monday, 16 February 2010
Weekly influenza surveillance overview highlights
? The 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic is well past its peak in EU/EEA countries. In eight countries (the majority of which are in Eastern Europe), local or regional transmission of the pandemic virus continues at low to medium intensity.
? Elsewhere intensity was low, but sporadic transmission of the pandemic virus was reported in the majority of countries.
? Of the 910 specimens collected by sentinel physicians, 76 (8.4%) were positive for influenza virus, mainly the pandemic virus; this is consistent with a declining trend.
? In contrast to the pandemic virus there is currently no evidence of virus circulation due to other influenza A viruses, but there is some circulation of influenza B viruses.
? The number of reported severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) cases continued to decline. Of the 39 SARI cases for whom underlying conditions were documented, nine (23%) had no known underlying condition.
The ECDC Weekly influenza surveillance overview is published on Friday afternoons on the 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) web page (see ?latest publications?).
Updates from Eurosurveillance
In Eurosurveillance, Volume 15, Issue 6, 11 February 2010, the following articles related to the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic were published: (...)
Impact of the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic wave on the pattern of hibernal respiratory virus epidemics, France, 2009.
Casalegno JS, Ottmann M, Bouscambert-Duchamp M, Valette M, Morfin F, Lina B.
Low acceptance of vaccination against the 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) among healthcare workers in Greece.
Rachiotis G, Mouchtouri VA, Kremastinou J, Gourgoulianis K, Hadjichristodoulou C.
Household transmissibility and other characteristics of seasonal oseltamivir-resistant influenza A(H1N1) viruses, Germany, 2007-8.
Buchholz U, Brockmann S, Duwe S, Schweiger B, an der Heiden M, Reinhardt B, Buda S.
Scientific advances
Experience and lessons from surveillance and studies of the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic in Europe
Surveillance and studies in a pandemic can be considered in four components: early detection and investigation; comprehensive early assessment; monitoring and rapid investigation of the effectiveness; and impact of countermeasures. A review from ECDC authors argues that early experience of the 2009 pandemic suggests that while some components worked well, this was not the case for all and that a careful evaluation of the work is needed to be better prepared for future pandemics.
Nicoll A, Ammon A, Amato Gauci A et al. Experience and lessons from surveillance and studies of the 2009 pandemic in Europe. Public Health. 2010 January; 124(1):14?23
(?)
ECDC: Number of new and cumulative confirmed fatal 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) cases in EU and EFTA countries, as of Week 06 ? 2010 (Updated 15 February 2010): 2,678 (+44)