PandemicPreparedness

WHO latest flu update - flu activity continues to be reported in the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere.

Flu-like illnesses remain elevated in the United States, but have begun to decrease nationally. Activity in Canada remains low and was decreasing in Mexico. Overall, influenza A(H3N2) is the dominant virus detected across North America, followed by influenza A(H1N1)pdm09.

Across Europe, influenza activity is decreasing but remains high across two thirds of the countries. High activity was reported in North Macedonia, Kosovo and in some parts of Eastern Europe. Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 was the dominant virus, followed by A(H3N2).

In Northern Africa, Algeria and Tunisia report flu activity with both A virus subtypes, while in Egypt and Morocco influenza activity is low levels.

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan continue to report an increased level of severe acute respiratory infections (SARI), with activity decreasing in Kazakhstan. Activity is decreasing among most of the Western Asia countries, except for Armenia, Kuwait, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia which reported elevated activity.

Flu activity is decreasing in China and Hong Kong, but still remains above seasonal threshholds. Influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 is circulating with highest frequency, followed by A(H3N2) and some B virus. Flu activity is at baseline levels in Japan, Mongolia and South Korea.

For countries in the tropical zones of Africa, the Caribbean, Central and South America, flu activity is generally low. An increase in influenza A viruses were detected in Cuba and Jamaica, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar and Mauritius. In Tropical Asia, flu activity remains elevated. In Afghanistan SARI levels and flu activity caused by A(H1N1)pdm09 was decreasing while influenza-like illness remained elevated. India reports high activity from A viruses, Pakistan has decreased activity from all virus subtypes and in Nepal activity has decreased since a peak at end-January, with A(H1N1)pdm09 and a smaller proportion of B viruses circulating. Influenza B virus activity is predominant in South East Asia, with activity increasing sharply in Thailand, and decreasing in the Philippines.

In the southern hemisphere, flu activity remains at interseasonal levels, except for some parts of Australia where elevated activity with influenza A viruses was reported.