Risk assessment for seasonal influenza, EU/EEA, 2017–2018

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Risk assessment for seasonal influenza, EU/EEA, 2017–2018 – 20 December, Stockholm, 2017.

Risk assessment
Since the 2009 influenza pandemic, ECDC has regularly produced early-season risk assessments for EU/EEA countries to inform national public health authorities of key features during the ongoing season. The main objectives of the early season risk assessment are to provide an early description of the epidemiological pattern of seasonal influenza in the first affected countries; to anticipate the progression of influenza activity and to assess the risk of reduced vaccine effectiveness and susceptibility to neuraminidase inhibitors.

Executive Summary

First detections indicated circulation of A(H3N2) and B/Yamagata viruses. As the former subtype dominated last season, a high proportion of the population should be protected. However, the emergence of variant strains cannot be excluded and this would increase the likelihood of severe outcomes in the elderly.

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Risk assessment for seasonal influenza, EU/EEA, 2017–2018

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See all ECDC risk assessments on influenza

More about seasonal influenza

Flu viruses in the throat, artwork. © Science Photo Library

Seasonal influenza is a preventable infectious disease with mostly respiratory symptoms. It is caused by influenza virus and is easily transmitted, predominantly via the droplet and contact routes and by indirect spread from respiratory secretions on hands etc.

ECDC experts looking at a screen with data

Epidemiological and virological data from the EU/EEA Member States. The surveillance data reported comes largely from sentinel influenza surveillance systems.

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