Influenza Update N° 477

Overview

^{Published 29 May 2024 | For reporting Week 20, ending 19 May 2024}

Influenza

• In the Northern hemisphere, influenza activity was generally low at interepidemic levels in most countries. Elevated activity continued to be reported in countries in Central America and the Caribbean, due primarily to influenza A(H3N2) with influenza B viruses also detected. Elevated activity was reported in countries in South Asia with primarily influenza A(H3N2) viruses with A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses also detected.
• In the Southern hemisphere, countries in South America continued to report elevated influenza activity, with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) viruses detected. In South Africa, activity was elevated and increased relative to prior weeks, due primarily to influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses.

 

SARS-CoV-2

• SARS-CoV-2 activity, as reported from sentinel surveillance in 59 countries/areas/territories that met inclusion criteria, was low overall. Some countries in Central America, Western Asia, South Asia, South East Asia, and Oceania reported elevated activity. Small increases in activity were reported in Oceania and South West Europe.

WHO encourages countries, especially those that have received the multiplex influenza and SARS-CoV-2 reagent kits from GISRS, to conduct integrated surveillance of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 and report epidemiological and laboratory information in a timely manner to established regional and global platforms. The guidance can be found here https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-2019-nCoV-integrated_sentinel_surveillance-2022.1.