Influenza update
23 November 2012 - Update number 173
Summary
• Countries of the Northern Hemisphere temperate region report increasing influenza virus detections, however none have crossed their seasonal threshold or announced the beginning of their season.
• Countries in southern and south east Asia, except Cambodia, reported decreasing influenza virus detections. Cambodia has reported increased detections of influenza A(H3N2) for at least 6 weeks.
• In Sub-Saharan Africa, Cameroon has continued to experience circulation of influenza A(H3N2) but appears to have peaked and the rate of detections has decreased. Ethiopia and Ghana reported increases in influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 while Madagascar, Kenya and Togo reported low circulation of mainly influenza B.
•Influenza activity in the temperate countries of the Southern Hemisphere is now at inter-seasonal levels.
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 Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System) 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.
Back to top