Influenza

Operational considerations to expedite genomic sequencing component of GISRS surveillance of SARS-CoV-2

Representative, quality, timely and continuous genetic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 is critical to the COVID-19 outbreak response. This document provides practical guidance to Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) laboratories and other relevant national laboratories to move beyond virus detection to genomic sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive materials obtained from sentinel surveillance of influenza-like illness (ILI), acute respiratory infection (ARI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI). It contains considerations on sample selection for sequencing, numbers of viruses to be sequenced, metadata and timeliness for sharing genetic sequence data (GSD) and opportunities for technical support.

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WHO Consultation and Information Meeting on the Composition of Influenza Virus Vaccines for Use in the 2021-22 Northern Hemisphere Influenza Season

26 February 2021 - WHO convenes technical consultations and information meeting in February and September each year to recommend viruses for inclusion in influenza vaccines for the northern and southern hemisphere influenza seasons, respectively. This is to announce the vaccine recommendation relates to the influenza vaccines for use in the forthcoming northern hemisphere 2021-2022 influenza season.

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Maintaining surveillance of influenza and monitoring SARS-CoV-2

This interim guidance is most useful for countries interested in monitoring relative circulations of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses. The document provides practical information to maintain surveillance of influenza and monitor SARS-CoV-2 using existing surveillance systems. It contains updated considerations for addressing disruptions in the influenza sentinel surveillance and extending to include COVID-19 wherever possible. Updated algorithms for testing of both influenza and SARS-CoV-2 for surveillance are also included. This document is an update of Operational considerations for COVID-19 surveillance using GISRS and GISRS for the upcoming influenza seasons during the COVID-19 pandemic

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Readiness for influenza during the COVID-19 pandemic

06 November 2020 - The policy brief provides a concise summary of information and considerations to ensure optimal management of influenza during the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes a list of technical guidance and other resources to assist policy makers with monitoring the situation, preventing seasonal influenza, reducing severe complications and mortality, protecting specific populations and communicating to and engaging with the public.

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Global Influenza Strategy 2019-2030

11 March 2019 – WHO launched today the Global Influenza Strategy for 2019-2030, aimed at protecting people in all countries from the threat of influenza. The strategy meets one of WHO’s mandates to improve core capacities for public health, and increase global preparedness and was developed through a consultative process with input from Member States, academia, civil society, industry, and internal and external experts.

The goal of the strategy is to prevent seasonal influenza, control the spread of influenza from animals to humans, and prepare for the next influenza pandemic. It provides a framework for WHO, countries and partners to approach influenza holistically – from surveillance to disease prevention and control – with the goal of strengthening seasonal prevention and control and preparedness for future pandemics.

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Influenza: are we ready?

12 October 2018 - At the start of the flu season in the Northern hemisphere, WHO launched today an in-depth multimedia package on influenza, including the lessons we can learn from previous flu pandemics, how prepared we are for another one, and how work on seasonal flu can help countries to prepare for future pandemics.

The flu comes around every year, everywhere - and children are among some of the most vulnerable. We asked children all over the world to illustrate this spotlight on flu, which includes 5 Things To Do If You Have The Flu and 5 Ways to Avoid Getting The Flu.

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Pandemic Influenza: an Evolving Challenge

2018 marks the 100th anniversary of one of the largest public health crises in modern history, the 1918 influenza pandemic known colloquially as “Spanish flu.” The intensity and speed with which it struck were almost unimaginable – infecting one-third of the earth’s population, which at the time was about 500 million people. By the time it subsided in 1920, tens of millions people are thought to have died.

Although influenza has been with humankind for millenia, the global spread and impact is in many respects a function accelerated in modern times. Urbanization, mass migration, global transport and trade accelerate the spread of pandemics.

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