Active circulation of influenza has started late in Europe in the 2013-2014 season, with a different timing across EU/EEA countries, states the annual ECDC risk assessment on seasonal influenza. The first countries affected have been Bulgaria, Greece, Portugal and Spain, where the A(H1)pdm09 influenza virus has dominated. Without any specific geographic pattern, influenza activity has since spread rapidly across Europe. In Bulgaria, Portugal and Spain, the season peaked in weeks 4 and 5/2014, while influenza activity still continues to increase in Greece.
The third annual joint influenza surveillance meeting was held in Istanbul. The meeting focused on virological and epidemiological aspects of influenza surveillance, influenza vaccination, and new developments in the field of influenza prevention and control.
The case definition and case finding algorithm have been prepared for surveillance purposes only and they will be adjusted as the current avian influenza A(H7N9) situation develops.
In accordance with the Key Tasks, ERLI-Net laboratories should participate in external quality assurance (EQA) schemes. EQA panels are distributed by both ERLI-Net and the WHO.
The first European external quality assessment exercise for antiviral susceptibility detection in influenza viruses was carried out during winter 2010/11. Twenty laboratories from 16 European countries participated in the exercise.
The 2012–2013 influenza season was of a slightly longer duration than the 2011–2012 season, starting around week 48/2012, peaking around week 5/2013 and lasting until week 16/2013.