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.
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 levels of influenza activity in European countries reported by EISN members during the influenza season are based on three assessments: An indicator of the overall intensity of influenza activity in the country, An indicator of the geographical spread of influenza in the country, An indicator of trend in ILI/ARI sentinel consultations in the country compared to the previous week.
February 2013, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and representatives of Vaccines Europe met at ECDC in Stockholm for a regular scheduled meeting about the use of vaccines for prevention of influenza.
A two-day regional workshop of CONSISE (the Consortium for the Standardization of Influenza Seroepidemiology), including regional partners from East and South East Asia actively engaged in the development of the influenza seroepidemiology protocols and laboratory standardisation work or willing to undertake field work.