Severe cases of seasonal influenza and detection of seasonal A(H1N2) in Russia in 2018-2019

Abstract

Data obtained from monitoring cases of severe influenza, cases of vaccinated individuals, and unique cases were used to describe influenza viruses that circulated in Russia in the 2018-2019 epidemic season. A high proportion of the mutations D222G/N in A(H1N1)pdm09 HA was detected in fatal cases. Viruses of the B/Victoria lineage with deletions in HA were detected in Russia, and a reassortant seasonal influenza A(H1N2) virus was identified. A C-terminal truncation in the NS1 protein was detected in a substantial proportion of A(H3N2) viruses.