Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.
This report presents the results of the European External Influenza Quality Assessment Programme 2020 for influenza reference laboratories in the WHO European Region, designed and prepared by the contractor and funded by ECDC and WHO Regional Office for Europe.
External quality assessment (EQA) is an essential part of any laboratory-based surveillance system, allowing for the monitoring of performance and comparability of results from participating laboratories, identification of potential issues and deployment of resources and training where necessary.
External quality assessment (EQA) is an essential part of any laboratory-based surveillance system, allowing for the monitoring of performance and comparability of results from participating laboratories, identification of potential issues and deployment of resources and training where necessary.
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.
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.
In collaboration with WHO Regional Office for Europe, ECDC monitors and reports on influenza activity in Europe on a weekly basis throughout the flu season.