This report provides an analysis of the external quality assessment (EQA) for the antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) performance of laboratories participating in the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network (EARS-Net) in 2019. A total of 952 laboratories (1–95 per country) from 30 EU/EEA countries participated in the EQA exercise.
This is the eighth report for the 2019–20 influenza season. As of week 25/2020, 164 883 influenza detections across the WHO European Region had been reported; 73% type A viruses, with A(H1N1)pdm09 prevailing over A(H3N2), and 27% type B viruses, with 4 479 (98%) of 4 568 ascribed to a lineage being B/Victoria.
This is the seventh report for the 2019 2019–20 influenza season. As of week 20 / 16 4 868 influenza detections across the WHO European Region ha have been reported; 73% type A viruses, with A(H1N1)pdm09 prevailing over A(H3N2), and 27% type B viruses, with 4 4 479 (98%) of 4 5 568 ascribed to a lineage being B/Victoria.
The methodology presented in this document provides a way to efficiently estimate COVID-19 prevalence by analysing the results of pooled RT-PCR tests, without the need to identify individual test results. The statistical foundation of the methodology is explained in detail.
ECDC’s influenza virus characterisation reports are published periodically and give an overview of circulating influenza viruses. They provide details on the current vaccine strains, summarise the development of the viruses since the last report, and closely follow the main developments for the ongoing influenza season. Virus characterisation reports are primarily intended for influenza virologists and epidemiologists.
According to EU recommendations, timely and accurate COVID-19 laboratory testing is an essential part of the management of COVID-19 for slowing down the pandemic, supporting decisions on infection control strategies and patient management at healthcare facilities, and detecting asymptomatic cases that could spread the virus further if not isolated.