Swine influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that regularly cause outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Influenza viruses that commonly circulate in swine are called “swine influenza viruses” or “swine flu viruses.” Like human influenza viruses, there are different subtypes and strains of swine influenza viruses.
The annual influenza meeting focused on new developments in influenza surveillance at the country and regional level, seasonal influenza vaccination programmes, provided an update on the global situation with regard to outbreaks of avian influenza and other emerging respiratory pathogens, and provided a forum for exchanging experiences from the past influenza season.
Up to 50 million people a year are estimated to have symptomatic influenza in EU/EEA countries and between 15 000 – 70 000 are estimated to die from influenza associated causes.
This online course was developed because seasonal influenza vaccination of health care workers (HCWs) is recommended in Europe but vaccination uptake remains low in most countries.