The reported national influenza trends indicate that influenza season is drawing to a close all across Europe, highlights the Weekly Influenza Surveillance Overview for Week 16.
The 2011–2012 influenza season started late and has been without any clear geographic progression. During week 16/2012, low intensity was reported in all countries except Slovakia, which reported medium intensity. Decreasing or stable trends were reported by all countries except the UK (Northern Ireland) which reported increasing trends.
Virological surveillance for week 16/2012 shows that of 315 sentinel specimens tested, 76 (24.1%) were positive for influenza virus, thus continuing the downward trend in percentage since week 8. As expected towards the end of the season, the proportion of B viruses in comparison with A viruses has increased substantially. The percentage of influenza-positive specimens and the epidemiological trends show that influenza viruses are still circulating in a number of EU countries.
For latest information on genetic and antigenic influenza virus characterisation in this European season from ECDC-affiliated countries, see the March 2012 report of the Community Network of Reference Laboratories for Human Influenza in Europe.
Related links
See other influenza outputs on ECDC web portal
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