During week 45 (7-13 November 2011), all 28 countries providing data to the European Surveillance System (TESSy) database reported low influenza activity.

The majority of the countries reported absence of geographic spread, while sporadic activity was reported only by the Czech Republic, France, Norway, Spain and Sweden.

In relation to the virological data, six of the specimens out of 390 sentinel specimens tested were positive for influenza virus. In addition, six non-sentinel source specimens, e.g. specimens collected for diagnostic purposes in hospitals, were positive for influenza virus. Of the total 12 influenza viruses detected, seven were type A, and five type B.

The collected data shows that six weeks after the beginning of the surveillance season for influenza in the Northern Hemisphere, the winter epidemics of influenza have not yet started in Europe.

Read the latest Weekly influenza surveillance overview, 7 – 13 Nov 2011 (Week 45)