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Flu Report: International Update

WHO

No new updates have been reported by the WHO since May 11, 2012. World Health Organization influenza update

United States

: During week 19, influenza activity declined nationally and in most regions of the United States, however remained elevated in some areas. In week 19, the proportion of tests positive for influenza viruses declined compared to the previous week (13.3%); the majority (52.8%) were positive for influenza A viruses, however the proportion positive for influenza B virus detections increased. Since October 1, 2011, the CDC characterized 1,514 influenza viruses: 369 A/H1N1, 893 A/H3N2 and 252 B. Of the 369 A/H1N1 viruses characterized, 98.4% (363) were A/California/7/2009(H1N1)-like and 1.6% (6) showed reduced titers with antiserum produced against A/California/7/2009. Of the 893 influenza A/H3N2 viruses that were characterized, 81.0% (723) were A/Perth/16/2009-like and 19.0% (170) showed reduced titers with antiserum produced against A/Perth/16/2009. Of the 252 influenza B viruses that were characterized, 46.4% (117) were B/Brisbane/60/2008-like (B/Victoria lineage) and 53.6% (135) belonged to the B/Yamagata lineage. The proportion of outpatient visits for ILI was 1.2%, which is below the national baseline. Widespread influenza activity was reported in 1 state, 5 states reported regional influenza activity, 11 states reported localized influenza activity, while the rest reported either sporadic or no activity. Two influenza A-associated paediatric deaths were reported to CDC in week 19 but occurred in week 17. To date this season, 24 influenza associated-pediatric deaths have been reported. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention seasonal influenza report

Europe

In week 20, clinical consultation rates for influenza-like illness (ILI) and acute respiratory infection (ARI) were at low levels in all countries and regions. The numbers of specimens tested slightly increased although the percentage of positive influenza cases continued to decline; the positive cases for week 20 showed a higher prevalence of influenza B viruses (70%) compared to influenza A (30%). Since week 40, 2,001 influenza viruses have been characterized antigenically: 1.5% were A/California/7/2009(H1N1)-like; 75.6% were A/Perth/16/2009(H1N1)-like; 0.1% were A/Brisbane/10/2007 (H3N2)-like; 2.4% were B/Florida/4/2006-like (B/Yamagata/16/88 lineage), 2.7% were B/Bangladesh/3333/2007-like (B/Yamagata/16/88 lineage) and 17.6% were B/Brisbane/60/2008-like (B/Victoria/2/87 lineage). EuroFlu weekly electronic bulletin

No new human avian influenza A/H5N1 cases were reported by the WHO since May 2, 2012. WHO Avian influenza situation updates

Information courtesy of the Public Health Agency of Canada.
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