Virological surveillance of influenza viruses in the WHO European Region in 2019/20 – impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
Open Access
- 19 November 2020
- journal article
- research article
- Published by European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) in Eurosurveillance
- Vol. 25 (46), 2001822
- https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.es.2020.25.46.2001822
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the 2019/20 WHO European Region influenza surveillance. Compared with previous 4-year averages, antigenic and genetic characterisations decreased by 17% (3,140 vs 2,601) and 24% (4,474 vs 3,403). Of subtyped influenza A viruses, 56% (26,477/47,357) were A(H1)pdm09, 44% (20,880/47,357) A(H3). Of characterised B viruses, 98% (4,585/4,679) were B/Victoria. Considerable numbers of viruses antigenically differed from northern hemisphere vaccine components. In 2020/21, maintaining influenza virological surveillance, while supporting SARS-CoV-2 surveillance is crucial.Keywords
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