Virological surveillance of influenza viruses in the WHO European Region in 2019/20 - impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

Euro Surveill. 2020 Nov;25(46):2001822. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2020.25.46.2001822.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the 2019/20 WHO European Region influenza surveillance. Compared with previous 4-year averages, antigenic and genetic characterisations decreased by 17% (3,140 vs 2,601) and 24% (4,474 vs 3,403). Of subtyped influenza A viruses, 56% (26,477/47,357) were A(H1)pdm09, 44% (20,880/47,357) A(H3). Of characterised B viruses, 98% (4,585/4,679) were B/Victoria. Considerable numbers of viruses antigenically differed from northern hemisphere vaccine components. In 2020/21, maintaining influenza virological surveillance, while supporting SARS-CoV-2 surveillance is crucial.

Keywords: COVID-19; Europe; SARS-CoV-2; influenza virus; pandemic; surveillance; virus characterization.

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Viral / genetics
  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Disease Notification / statistics & numerical data*
  • Epidemiological Monitoring*
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / genetics
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / isolation & purification
  • Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype / genetics
  • Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype / isolation & purification
  • Influenza A virus / genetics
  • Influenza A virus / isolation & purification*
  • Influenza B virus / genetics
  • Influenza B virus / isolation & purification*
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology*
  • Influenza, Human / virology*
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral
  • Population Surveillance
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • Antigens, Viral
  • RNA, Viral