XBB.1.5 is a sub-lineage of the SARS-CoV-2 lineage XBB, and is currently estimated to have a large growth advantage over previously circulating lineages in North America (109%) and Europe (113%).
This report describes and summarises the national results of the external quality assessment (EQA) of laboratory performance for those laboratories participating in the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network (EARS-Net) in 2021.
This document aims to provide guidance for public health and laboratory experts in identifying human infections with animal influenza viruses as early as possible to provide early warning and inform risk assessments and public health measures.