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.
This report contains genetic and antigenic characterization data generated at the Worldwide Influenza Centre for viruses with collection dates after 31 August 2023 until 31 January 2024.
Injected trivalent inactivated influenza vaccines are most commonly used throughout the world. Influenza antigen preparation varies between manufacturers.
In this report, we present an update of the 2020 primary systematic review, to take into account more recent evidence on the efficacy, effectiveness and safety of newer and/or enhanced seasonal influenza vaccines for the prevention of laboratory-confirmed influenza in individuals aged 18 years and over.
This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 28 April - 4 May 2024 and includes updates on cholera, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, an overview of respiratory virus epidemiology in the EU/EEA, highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) in cattle and a related human case, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, and Lassa fever.
Influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and RSV activity in EU/EEA Member States continue to decrease or remain stable at low levels. Cases, including severe infections, can still occur and it therefore remains essential to continue testing patients presenting with severe acute respiratory symptoms in order to guide treatment and inform epidemiological assessments.
This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 21–27 April 2024 and includes updates on respiratory virus epidemiology in the EU/EEA, West Nile virus, SARS-CoV-2 variant classification and Cholera.
Seasonal influenza is a vaccine-preventable disease and annual influenza vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza. ECDC continues to emphasise that all Europeans who are recommended to have the influenza vaccine should get vaccinated.
Influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and RSV activity in EU/EEA Member States continue to decrease or remain stable at low levels. Cases, including severe infections, can still occur and it therefore remains essential to continue testing patients presenting with severe acute respiratory symptoms in order to guide treatment and inform epidemiological assessments.