Ronan Kelly
Retired 2020
Situation Report
The information contained within this update is obtained from data provided by Ministries of Health of Member States and National Influenza Centers through reports sent to Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) or updates on their web pages.
Epidemiological Week 16
?In Canada, influenza activity continues to decline; influenza B accounted for a greater proportionthan influenza A. In the United States, the ILI activity was below the baseline; there has been a co-circulation of influenza A and B. In Mexico, the predominant circulating respiratory virus has been influenza A/H1N1 2009 in the last 6 weeks.
?Influenza activity in Central America, the Caribbean, the Andean Region and the Southern Cone remained low. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been the predominant respiratory virus circulating in many countries in South America.
Epidemiologic and virologic influenza update
North America
In Canada, in epidemiological week (EW) 16, influenza activity continued to decline. The national influenza-like illness (ILI) consultation rate decreased slightly compared to previous weeks and remained within the expected rate for this time of year. Children 5-19 years of age had the highest ILI consultation rates (45.3 per 1,000 consultations). Fewer regions reported localized influenza activity this week compared to the previous week although slightly more outbreaks were reported, all in the Atlantic provinces. In EW 16, the percentage of samples positive for influenza was 7.2%, which is lower than the prior week (10.3%). This is the third week that influenza B (58.8%) accounted for a greater proportion than influenza A (41.2%). Among the other respiratory viruses, the proportion of positive respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) tests appears to have peaked in week 07. Since week 11, the proportion of positive tests for parainfluenza viruses has been increasing, reaching 5.8% in EW 16.
In Mexico, in EW 15, among all samples tested, the percent positivity for influenza viruses was ~14%, which was higher than EW 14 (9%). The predominant circulating respiratory virus has been influenza A/H1N1 2009 in the last 6 EWs, followed by influenza B.
In the United States, in EW 16, at the national level, the proportion of outpatient consultations for ILI (1.3%) was below the national baseline. At the regional level, one region reported ILI activity to be above its region-specific baseline. The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza was above the epidemic threshold for 13 consecutive weeks. Two influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported this week. During EW 16, 4.3% of samples tested were positive for influenza [influenza type B (43.2%), influenza A/H3 (36.4%), unsubtyped influenza A (14.8%) and influenza A/H1N1 2009 (5.7%)]. Of characterized influenza B viruses, 94.1% belong to the B/Victoria lineage and 5.9% belong to the B/Yamagata lineage.
Caribbean
CAREC*, in EW 16, reported that the proportion of admissions for severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) (~3%) increased as compared to the prior week (~1.5%). In the last month, children between 6-48 months of age had the highest SARI admissions rate (recent 4 EWs average: 4.7 per 100 admissions). Two SARI deaths were reported in the last month. In EW 15, among all samples tested, the percent positivity for respiratory viruses slightly decreased to ~25% and no influenza viruses were detected. The predominant respiratory virus in circulation was rhinovirus in EWs 14-15.
In the Dominican Republic, in EW 17, among all the samples tested, the percentage of positive samples for respiratory viruses increased slightly to ~30% and the percentage of positive samples for influenza viruses was 23%. Influenza A/H1N1 2009 has been the predominant influenza virus circulating from SE 13-17. Among other respiratory viruses, adenovirus and parainfluenza were also detected in the last 2 weeks.
In Jamaica for EW 16, sentinel site data showed that the proportion of consultations for Acute Respiratory Illness (ARI) increased by 0.2% compared to the previous week. The percentage of samples positive for influenza was 66.7% which represents an increase compared to the previous week (33%). Between EW 4-16 influenza type B has been the predominant virus circulating with sporadic detection of influenza A/H1N1 2009.
Central America
In Costa Rica, in EW 17, among all samples tested, the percent positivity for respiratory viruses increased to 41% from 35% (EW 16); however, the percent positivity for influenza remain low (~0.5%). Adenovirus has been the predominant respiratory virus in the last 6 EWs, followed by parainfluenza.
In Honduras, in EW 15, among all samples tested, the percent positivity for respiratory viruses remained low (~5%) and no influenza viruses were detected that week. Few positive samples for respiratory viruses were detected. In the last month, influenza A/H1N1 2009, influenza B and adenovirus have been detected
In Panama, in EW 16, among all samples tested, the percent positivity for respiratory viruses slightly decreased to 11% and no influenza viruses were detected this week. In EW 16, RSV was the predominant circulating respiratory virus. Influenza A/H1N1 2009 was detected in EW 15.
South America ? Andean
In Colombia, no respiratory viruses were detected in EWs 16-17. Among other respiratory viruses, RSV has been the predominant circulating respiratory virus during 2011.
In Ecuador, regionally, the number of SARI cases in Quito has maintained an increasing trend since EW 8- 15. In Guayaquil, the number of SARI cases showed a decreasing trend since EW 12-15. In the national level, the percentage of samples positive for respiratory viruses has decreased in the last two weeks (EW 15-16) to 22%, from 43% (EW 14). No influenza viruses were detected since EW 11. RSV has been the predominant respiratory virus in circulation during the last 8 EWs, predominantly in children under 14 years of age.
In Peru, in EW 15, the number of ARI cases in children under 5 years of age continued to increase as compared to previous EWs; however, it remained within the endemic channel for this time of year. The severe cases (children under 5 years of age with pneumonia) represent <1% of all ARI cases and also increased as compared to previous EWs, remaining within the expected level for this time of the year. Regionally, the highest pneumonia rates were observed in some departments in the jungle (Ucayali, Loreto and Madre de Dios). The highest numbers of deaths associated to pneumonia in children under 5 years of age were reported in Loreto, Lima, Puno and Amazonas.
South America ? Southern Cone
In Argentina, among all samples tested, the percentage of positivity for respiratory viruses has increased in the last 6 EWs, to ~40% (EW 16) from 11% (EW 10). No influenza viruses were detected since EW 14. RSV has been the predominant respiratory virus in circulation since EW 10.
In Paraguay, in EW 17, among all samples tested, the percent positivity for respiratory viruses continued to decrease to ~15% from 25% (EW15), and no influenza viruses were detected in the last 4 EWs. RSV has been the predominant circulating respiratory virus between EWs 6-17
http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3352&Itemid=2469&to=2246
Regional Influenza update (May 4th) http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=12815&Itemid=2469
The information contained within this update is obtained from data provided by Ministries of Health of Member States and National Influenza Centers through reports sent to Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) or updates on their web pages.
Epidemiological Week 16
?In Canada, influenza activity continues to decline; influenza B accounted for a greater proportionthan influenza A. In the United States, the ILI activity was below the baseline; there has been a co-circulation of influenza A and B. In Mexico, the predominant circulating respiratory virus has been influenza A/H1N1 2009 in the last 6 weeks.
?Influenza activity in Central America, the Caribbean, the Andean Region and the Southern Cone remained low. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been the predominant respiratory virus circulating in many countries in South America.
Epidemiologic and virologic influenza update
North America
In Canada, in epidemiological week (EW) 16, influenza activity continued to decline. The national influenza-like illness (ILI) consultation rate decreased slightly compared to previous weeks and remained within the expected rate for this time of year. Children 5-19 years of age had the highest ILI consultation rates (45.3 per 1,000 consultations). Fewer regions reported localized influenza activity this week compared to the previous week although slightly more outbreaks were reported, all in the Atlantic provinces. In EW 16, the percentage of samples positive for influenza was 7.2%, which is lower than the prior week (10.3%). This is the third week that influenza B (58.8%) accounted for a greater proportion than influenza A (41.2%). Among the other respiratory viruses, the proportion of positive respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) tests appears to have peaked in week 07. Since week 11, the proportion of positive tests for parainfluenza viruses has been increasing, reaching 5.8% in EW 16.
In Mexico, in EW 15, among all samples tested, the percent positivity for influenza viruses was ~14%, which was higher than EW 14 (9%). The predominant circulating respiratory virus has been influenza A/H1N1 2009 in the last 6 EWs, followed by influenza B.
In the United States, in EW 16, at the national level, the proportion of outpatient consultations for ILI (1.3%) was below the national baseline. At the regional level, one region reported ILI activity to be above its region-specific baseline. The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza was above the epidemic threshold for 13 consecutive weeks. Two influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported this week. During EW 16, 4.3% of samples tested were positive for influenza [influenza type B (43.2%), influenza A/H3 (36.4%), unsubtyped influenza A (14.8%) and influenza A/H1N1 2009 (5.7%)]. Of characterized influenza B viruses, 94.1% belong to the B/Victoria lineage and 5.9% belong to the B/Yamagata lineage.
Caribbean
CAREC*, in EW 16, reported that the proportion of admissions for severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) (~3%) increased as compared to the prior week (~1.5%). In the last month, children between 6-48 months of age had the highest SARI admissions rate (recent 4 EWs average: 4.7 per 100 admissions). Two SARI deaths were reported in the last month. In EW 15, among all samples tested, the percent positivity for respiratory viruses slightly decreased to ~25% and no influenza viruses were detected. The predominant respiratory virus in circulation was rhinovirus in EWs 14-15.
In the Dominican Republic, in EW 17, among all the samples tested, the percentage of positive samples for respiratory viruses increased slightly to ~30% and the percentage of positive samples for influenza viruses was 23%. Influenza A/H1N1 2009 has been the predominant influenza virus circulating from SE 13-17. Among other respiratory viruses, adenovirus and parainfluenza were also detected in the last 2 weeks.
In Jamaica for EW 16, sentinel site data showed that the proportion of consultations for Acute Respiratory Illness (ARI) increased by 0.2% compared to the previous week. The percentage of samples positive for influenza was 66.7% which represents an increase compared to the previous week (33%). Between EW 4-16 influenza type B has been the predominant virus circulating with sporadic detection of influenza A/H1N1 2009.
Central America
In Costa Rica, in EW 17, among all samples tested, the percent positivity for respiratory viruses increased to 41% from 35% (EW 16); however, the percent positivity for influenza remain low (~0.5%). Adenovirus has been the predominant respiratory virus in the last 6 EWs, followed by parainfluenza.
In Honduras, in EW 15, among all samples tested, the percent positivity for respiratory viruses remained low (~5%) and no influenza viruses were detected that week. Few positive samples for respiratory viruses were detected. In the last month, influenza A/H1N1 2009, influenza B and adenovirus have been detected
In Panama, in EW 16, among all samples tested, the percent positivity for respiratory viruses slightly decreased to 11% and no influenza viruses were detected this week. In EW 16, RSV was the predominant circulating respiratory virus. Influenza A/H1N1 2009 was detected in EW 15.
South America ? Andean
In Colombia, no respiratory viruses were detected in EWs 16-17. Among other respiratory viruses, RSV has been the predominant circulating respiratory virus during 2011.
In Ecuador, regionally, the number of SARI cases in Quito has maintained an increasing trend since EW 8- 15. In Guayaquil, the number of SARI cases showed a decreasing trend since EW 12-15. In the national level, the percentage of samples positive for respiratory viruses has decreased in the last two weeks (EW 15-16) to 22%, from 43% (EW 14). No influenza viruses were detected since EW 11. RSV has been the predominant respiratory virus in circulation during the last 8 EWs, predominantly in children under 14 years of age.
In Peru, in EW 15, the number of ARI cases in children under 5 years of age continued to increase as compared to previous EWs; however, it remained within the endemic channel for this time of year. The severe cases (children under 5 years of age with pneumonia) represent <1% of all ARI cases and also increased as compared to previous EWs, remaining within the expected level for this time of the year. Regionally, the highest pneumonia rates were observed in some departments in the jungle (Ucayali, Loreto and Madre de Dios). The highest numbers of deaths associated to pneumonia in children under 5 years of age were reported in Loreto, Lima, Puno and Amazonas.
South America ? Southern Cone
In Argentina, among all samples tested, the percentage of positivity for respiratory viruses has increased in the last 6 EWs, to ~40% (EW 16) from 11% (EW 10). No influenza viruses were detected since EW 14. RSV has been the predominant respiratory virus in circulation since EW 10.
In Paraguay, in EW 17, among all samples tested, the percent positivity for respiratory viruses continued to decrease to ~15% from 25% (EW15), and no influenza viruses were detected in the last 4 EWs. RSV has been the predominant circulating respiratory virus between EWs 6-17
http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3352&Itemid=2469&to=2246
Regional Influenza update (May 4th) http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=12815&Itemid=2469