PandemicPreparedness

According to the latest WHO influenza update, flu activity continued to decrease in the temperate countries of the Northern Hemisphere. Globally, the predominant strains were influenza B viruses.

In the temperate zone of the Southern Hemisphere, there was a slight increase in influenza activity in recent weeks. ILI (Influenza-like-illness) activity continued to increase in Chile and passed the seasonal threshold. In tropical South America, Bolivia reported an increase in flu activity with influenza A(H3N2) viruses as the predominant virus. In Colombia, increase in activity of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) continued to be reported.

In Western Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Senegal and Sierra Leone continued to report influenza activity, with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and B Victoria lineage co-circulating in the region. Influenza A(H3N2) and B viruses were reported in Madagascar, Mauritius and Tanzania.

Flu activity also continued to be reported in East Asia with all seasonal influenza types/subtypes detected. In Southern China, high influenza activity was reported with A(H1N1)pdm09 and B Victoria lineage viruses predominant, where as influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus detections decreased in Northern China. Influenza activity continued to be reported in South Korea with influenza B viruses predominant.

Flu activity decreased in South Asia; in Bhutan, ILI continued to be reported, with influenza B viruses as the most frequently detected virus where as influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 continued to be reported in India. Iran and Sri Lanka reported low levels of influenza activity with influenza B viruses predominant. Singapore reported an increasing trend of ILI levels.

Overall influenza activity in North America continued to decrease. There were reports of an increase in the proportion of influenza B viruses in Canada and the United States of America in recent weeks. In Mexico, all seasonal influenza types/subtypes continued to be detected in low levels.