Sentinel surveillance of influenza-like illnesses revealed an increase in the cases of influenza C virus in children and adults in Austria, 2022, compared to previous years, following one season (2020/2021), wherein no influenza C virus was detected. Whole-genome sequencing revealed no obvious genetic basis for the increase. We propose that the reemergence is explained by waning immunity from lack of community exposure due to restrictions intended to limit severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spread in prior seasons, pending further investigation.
Keywords: influenza C virus; outbreak; postpandemic; sentinel surveillance; whole-genome sequencing.
© 2022 The Authors. Journal of Medical Virology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.