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This technical guidance aims to provide guidelines to laboratories and relevant stakeholders in the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) and other countries in the WHO European region in making decisions on establishing sequencing capacities and capabilities, in making decisions on which technologies to use and/or in deciding on the role of sequencing for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics, research, outbreak investigations and surveillance.

This report provides an analysis of the EQA performance of laboratories in the 28 EU/EEA countries in relation to the detection/isolation, identification, enumeration and quantification of Legionella spp. and the further characterisation of L. pneumophila, by serogrouping and sequence-based typing, from both clinical and environmental samples, where applicable.

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.

It is of paramount importance to be able to rapidly identify, assess and control COVID-19 outbreaks in LTCFs in order to protect this particularly fragile population. This document provides guidance for EU/EEA Member States planning to implement monitoring systems at LTCFs and describes the surveillance objectives.

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.