scholarly journals Report on influenza viruses received and tested by the Melbourne WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza in 2018

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia H Price ◽  
Natalie Spirason ◽  
Cleve Rynehart ◽  
Sook Kwan Brown ◽  
Angela Todd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza A ◽  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Vaccine Virus ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
World Health ◽  
Influenza Surveillance ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
Response System ◽  
Surveillance And Response

As part of its role in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza in Melbourne received a total of 3993 human influenza-positive samples during 2018. Viruses were analysed for their antigenic, genetic and antiviral susceptibility properties. Selected viruses were propagated in qualified cells or hens’ eggs for use as potential seasonal influenza vaccine virus candidates. In 2018, influenza A(H1)pdm09 viruses predominated over influenza A(H3) and B viruses, accounting for a total of 53% of all viruses analysed. The majority of A(H1)pdm09, A(H3) and influenza B viruses analysed at the Centre were found to be antigenically similar to the respective WHO-recommended vaccine strains for the Southern Hemisphere in 2018. However, phylogenetic analysis indicated that a significant proportion of circulating A(H3) viruses had undergone genetic drift relative to the WHO-recommended vaccine strain for 2018. Of 2864 samples tested for susceptibility to the neuraminidase inhibitors oseltamivir and zanamivir, three A(H1)pdm09 viruses showed highly reduced inhibition by oseltamivir, while one B/Victoria virus showed highly reduced inhibition by both oseltamivir and zanamivir.

scholarly journals Report on influenza viruses received and tested by the Melbourne WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza in 2017

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merryn Roe ◽  
Matthew Kaye ◽  
Pina Iannello ◽  
Hilda Lau ◽  
Iwona Buettner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza A ◽  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Vaccine Virus ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
World Health ◽  
Influenza Surveillance ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
Neuraminidase Inhibitors ◽  
Response System ◽  
Surveillance And Response

As part of its role in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza in Melbourne received a record total of 5866 human influenza positive samples during 2017. Viruses were analysed for their antigenic, genetic and antiviral susceptibility properties and were propagated in qualified cells and hens’ eggs for use as potential seasonal influenza vaccine virus candidates. In 2017, influenza A(H3) viruses predominated over influenza A(H1)pdm09 and B viruses, accounting for a total of 54% of all viruses analysed. The majority of A(H1)pdm09, A(H3) and influenza B viruses analysed at the Centre were found to be antigenically similar to the respective WHO recommended vaccine strains for the Southern Hemisphere in 2017. However, phylogenetic analysis indicated that the majority of circulating A(H3) viruses had undergone genetic drift relative to the WHO recommended vaccine strain for 2017. Of 3733 samples tested for susceptibility to the neuraminidase inhibitors oseltamivir and zanamivir, only two A(H1)pdm09 viruses and one A(H3) virus showed highly reduced inhibition by oseltamivir, while just one A(H1)pdm09 virus showed highly reduced inhibition by zanamivir.

scholarly journals Report on influenza viruses received and tested by the Melbourne WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza in 2019

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi Peck ◽  
Jean Moselen ◽  
Sook Kwan Brown ◽  
Megan Triantafilou ◽  
Hilda Lau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza A ◽  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
World Health ◽  
Influenza Surveillance ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
Surveillance And Response ◽  
Influenza A H1n1 ◽  
Potential Use

As part of its role in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza in Melbourne received a record total of 9,266 human influenza positive samples during 2019. Viruses were analysed for their antigenic, genetic and antiviral susceptibility properties. Selected viruses were propagated in qualified cells or embryonated hen’s eggs for potential use in seasonal influenza virus vaccines. In 2019, influenza A(H3N2) viruses predominated over influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and B viruses, accounting for a total of 51% of all viruses analysed. The majority of A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and influenza B viruses analysed at the Centre were found to be antigenically similar to the respective WHO recommended vaccine strains for the Southern Hemisphere in 2019. However, phylogenetic analysis indicated that a significant proportion of circulating A(H3N2) viruses had undergone genetic drift relative to the WHO recommended vaccine strain for 2019. Of 5,301 samples tested for susceptibility to the neuraminidase inhibitors oseltamivir and zanamivir, four A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses showed highly reduced inhibition with oseltamivir, one A(H1N1)pdm09 virus showed highly reduced inhibition with zanamivir and three B/Victoria viruses showed highly reduced inhibition with zanamivir.

scholarly journals Annual report on influenza viruses received and tested by the Melbourne WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza in 2016

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivian.k Leung ◽  
Yi-Mo Deng ◽  
Matthew Kaye ◽  
Iwona Buettner ◽  
Hilda Lau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza A ◽  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Annual Report ◽  
Vaccine Virus ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
World Health ◽  
Influenza Surveillance ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
Surveillance And Response ◽  
Selection Of

As part of its role in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza in Melbourne received a total of 4,247 human influenza positive samples during 2016. Viruses were analysed for their antigenic, genetic and antiviral susceptibility properties and also propagated in qualified cells and hens eggs for potential seasonal influenza vaccine virus candidates. In 2016, influenza A(H3) viruses predominated over influenza A(H1)pdm09 and B viruses, accounting for a total of 51% of all viruses analysed. The vast majority of A(H1)pdm09, A(H3) and influenza B viruses analysed at the Centre were found to be antigenically similar to the respective WHO recommended vaccine strains for the Southern Hemisphere in 2016. However, phylogenetic analysis of a selection of viruses indicated that the majority of circulating A(H3) viruses had undergone some genetic drift relative to the WHO recommended strain for 2016. Of more than 3,000 samples tested for resistance to the neuraminidase inhibitors oseltamivir and zanamivir, six A(H1)pdm09 viruses and two B/Victoria lineage viruses showed highly reduced inhibition to oseltamivir.

scholarly journals Concordance of interim and final estimates of influenza vaccine effectiveness: a systematic review

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivian K Leung ◽  
Benjamin J Cowling ◽  
Shuo Feng ◽  
Sheena G Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Vaccine Effectiveness ◽  
World Health ◽  
Absolute Difference ◽  
Influenza Surveillance ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
Surveillance And Response ◽  
Influenza A H1n1

The World Health Organization's Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System meets twice a year to generate a recommendation for the composition of the seasonal influenza vaccine. Interim vaccine effectiveness (VE) estimates provide a preliminary indication of influenza vaccine performance during the season and may be useful for decision making. We reviewed 17 pairs of studies reporting 33 pairs of interim and final estimates using the test-negative design to evaluate whether interim estimates can reliably predict final estimates. We examined features of the study design that may be correlated with interim estimates being substantially different from their final estimates and identified differences related to change in study period and concomitant changes in sample size, proportion vaccinated and proportion of cases. An absolute difference of no more than 10% between interim and final estimates was found for 18 of 33 reported pairs of estimates, including six of 12 pairs reporting VE against any influenza, six of 10 for influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, four of seven for influenza A(H3N2) and two of four for influenza B. While we identified inconsistencies in the methods, the similarities between interim and final estimates support the utility of generating and disseminating preliminary estimates of VE while virus circulation is ongoing.

Antigenic and genomic characterization of human influenza A and B viruses circulating in Argentina after the introduction of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09

2014 ◽  
Vol 63 (12) ◽  
pp. 1626-1637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mara L. Russo ◽  
Andrea V. Pontoriero ◽  
Estefania Benedetti ◽  
Andrea Czech ◽  
Martin Avaro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Southern Hemisphere ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Vaccine Virus ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
World Health ◽  
Influenza Surveillance ◽  
Human Influenza ◽  
Surveillance Network ◽  
Influenza A H1n1 ◽  
Health Organization

This study was conducted as part of the Argentinean Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses Surveillance Network, in the context of the Global Influenza Surveillance carried out by the World Health Organization (WHO). The objective was to study the activity and the antigenic and genomic characteristics of circulating viruses for three consecutive seasons (2010, 2011 and 2012) in order to investigate the emergence of influenza viral variants. During the study period, influenza virus circulation was detected from January to December. Influenza A and B, and all current subtypes of human influenza viruses, were present each year. Throughout the 2010 post-pandemic season, influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, unexpectedly, almost disappeared. The haemagglutinin (HA) of the A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses studied were segregated in a different genetic group to those identified during the 2009 pandemic, although they were still antigenically closely related to the vaccine strain A/California/07/2009. Influenza A(H3N2) viruses were the predominant strains circulating during the 2011 season, accounting for nearly 76 % of influenza viruses identified. That year, all HA sequences of the A(H3N2) viruses tested fell into the A/Victoria/208/2009 genetic clade, but remained antigenically related to A/Perth/16/2009 (reference vaccine recommended for this three-year period). A(H3N2) viruses isolated in 2012 were antigenically closely related to A/Victoria/361/2011, recommended by the WHO as the H3 component for the 2013 Southern Hemisphere formulation. B viruses belonging to the B/Victoria lineage circulated in 2010. A mixed circulation of viral variants of both B/Victoria and B/Yamagata lineages was detected in 2012, with the former being predominant. A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses remained antigenically closely related to the vaccine virus A/California/7/2009; A(H3N2) viruses continually evolved into new antigenic clusters and both B lineages, B/Victoria/2/87-like and B/Yamagata/16/88-like viruses, were observed during the study period. The virological surveillance showed that the majority of the circulating strains during the study period were antigenically related to the corresponding Southern Hemisphere vaccine strains except for the 2012 A(H3N2) viruses.

Influenza Project in Myanmar

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 842-847
Author(s):  
Reiko Saito ◽  
◽  
Yadanar Kyaw ◽  
Yi Yi Myint ◽  
Clyde Dapat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza A ◽  
Drug Susceptibility ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
World Health ◽  
Influenza Surveillance ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
Laboratory Capacity ◽  
Influenza A H1n1 ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
Health Organization

The epidemiological study of influenza in Southeast Asia is limited. We surveyed influenza in Myanmar from 2007 to 2013. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from patients in the two cities of Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw. Samples were screened using rapid influenza diagnostic kits and identified by virus isolation. Isolates were characterized by cyclingprobe-based real-time PCR, drug susceptibility assay, and sequencing. Samples collected numbered 5,173, from which 1,686 influenza viruses were isolated during the seven-year study period. Of these, 187 strains were of seasonal influenza A(H1N1), 274 of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, 791 of influenza A(H3N2), and 434 of influenza B. Interestingly, two zanamivir and amantadine-resistant strains each were detected in 2007 and 2008. These rare dual-resistant strains had a Q136K mutation in the NA protein and S31N substitution in the M2 protein. Our collaboration raised the influenza surveillance laboratory capacity in Myanmar and led Yangon’s National Health Laboratory – one of the nation’s leading research institutes – to being designated a National Influenza Center by the World Health Organization.

scholarly journals What will the next influenza season bring about: seasonal influenza or the new A(H1N1)v? An analysis of German influenza surveillance data

2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (32) ◽  
Author(s):  
H Uphoff ◽  
S Geis ◽  
A Grüber ◽  
A M Hauri
Keyword(s):  
Influenza A ◽  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Influenza Season ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Influenza Surveillance ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Influenza A H1n1 ◽  
Using Data

For the next influenza season (winter 2009-10) the relative contributions to virus circulation and influenza-associated morbidity of the seasonal influenza viruses A(H3N2), A(H1N1) and B, and the new influenza A(H1N1)v are still unknown. We estimated the chances of seasonal influenza to circulate during the upcoming season using data of the German influenza sentinel scheme from 1992 to 2009. We calculated type and subtype-specific indices for past exposure and the corresponding morbidity indices for each season. For the upcoming season 2009-10 our model suggests that it is unlikely that influenza A(H3N2) will circulate with more than a low intensity, seasonal A(H1N1) with more than a low to moderate intensity, and influenza B with more than a low to median intensity. The probability of a competitive circulation of seasonal influenza A with the new A(H1N1)v is low, increasing the chance for the latter to dominate the next influenza season in Germany.

scholarly journals Morbidity patterns associated with seasonal influenza A/H1N1in Swaziland

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vusie Lokotfwako ◽  
Nhlanhla Nhlabatsi ◽  
Phinda Khumalo ◽  
Siphiwe Shongwe ◽  
Bongani Tsabedze ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Index Case ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Influenza Surveillance ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
Epidemic Disease ◽  
Influenza A H1n1 ◽  
Private Laboratory

ObjectiveTo establish morbidity patterns of influenza A/H1N1 in Swaziland from 10th July to 15th August 2017.IntroductionInfluenza infection is caused by the influenza virus, a single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the Orthomyxoviridae family. Influenza viruses are classified as types A, B and C. Influenza A and B viruses can cause epidemic disease in humans and type C viruses usually cause a mild, cold-like illness. The influenza virus spreads rapidly around the world in seasonal epidemics, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. On the 10th of July 2017, a case of confirmed Influenza A/H1N1 was reported through the immediate disease notification system from a private hospital in the Hhohho region. A 49 year old female was diagnosed of Influenza A/H1N1 after presenting with flu-like symptoms. Contacts of the index case were followed and further positive cases were identified.MethodsUpon identification of the index case, the rapid response teams conducted further investigations. Two nasal swaps from each sample were taken and sent to a private laboratory in South Africa for the detection of the virus RNA using RT-PCR to assess for the presence Influenza A, B and Influenza A/H1N1. Further laboratory results were sourced from a private laboratory to monitor trends of influenza. Data was captured and analyzed in STATA version 12 from STATA cooperation. Descriptive statistics were carried out using means and standard deviations. The Pearson Chi square test and student t test were used to test for any possible association between influenza A/H1N1 and the explanatory variables (age and sex).ResultsSurveillance data captured between 10th July 2017 and 15th August 2017 indicated that a total of 87 patients had their samples taken for laboratory confirmation. There were 45 females and 42 males and the mean age was 27 years (SD= 17). At least 25 of the 87 patients tested positive for influenza A while only 1 tested positive for influenza B. The prevalence of influenza A/H1N1 was 16%. The prevalence of influenza A/H1N1 among males was 19% compared to 13% in females; however the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.469). There was no association noted between age and influenza A/H1N1 (p=427). Upon further sub-typing results indicated that the circulating strain was influenza A/H1N1 pdm 09 strain which is a seasonal influenza. The epidemic task forces held weekly and ad-hoc meetings to provide feedback to principals and health messaging to the general population to allay anxiety.ConclusionsThough WHO has classified the influenza A/H1N1 strain pdm 0029 as a seasonal influenza, surveillance remains important for early detection and management. There is therefore an urgent need to set up sentinel sites to monitor and understand the circulating influenza strains. Health promotion remains crucial to dispel anxiety as the general public still link any influenza to the 2009 pandemic influenza. Finally the Ministry of Health should consider introducing influenza vaccines into the routine immunization schedule especially for children.References1. Global Epidemiological Surveillance Standards for Influenza. 2014 [cited 2015 15 April]; Available from: http://www.who.int/influenza/resources/documents/influenza_surveillance_manual/en/.2. Human cases of influenza at the human-animal interface, 2013. Wkly Epidemiol Rec, 2014.89(28): p. 309-20.3. WHO Global Influenza Surveillance Network. Manual for the laboratory diagnosis and virological surveillance of influenza. 2011 [cited 2015 April27]; Available from: http://www.who.int/influenza/gisrs_laboratory/manual_diagnosis_surveillance_influenza/en/.

scholarly journals National influenza mid-season report, 2020–2021

2021 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Lisa Lee ◽  
Kelly Butt ◽  
Steven Buckrell ◽  
Andrea Nwosu ◽  
Claire Sevenhuysen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza A ◽  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Influenza Season ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Resistance Testing ◽  
Influenza Surveillance ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
Strain Characterization ◽  
Influenza Activity ◽  
Low Levels

Canada's national influenza season typically starts in the latter half of November (week 47) and is defined as the week when at least 5% of influenza tests are positive and a minimum of 15 positive tests are observed. As of December 12, 2020 (week 50), the 2020-2021 influenza season had not begun. Only 47 laboratory-confirmed influenza detections were reported from August 23 to December 12, 2020; an unprecedentedly low number, despite higher than usual levels of influenza testing. Of this small number of detections, 64% were influenza A and 36% were influenza B. Influenza activity in Canada was at historically low levels compared with the previous five seasons. Provinces and territories reported no influenza-associated adult hospitalizations. Fewer than five hospitalizations were reported by the paediatric sentinel hospitalization network. With little influenza circulating, the National Microbiology Laboratory had not yet received samples of influenza viruses collected during the 2020-2021 season for strain characterization or antiviral resistance testing. The assessment of influenza vaccine effectiveness, typically available in mid-March, is expected to be similarly limited if low seasonal influenza circulation persists. Nevertheless, Canada's influenza surveillance system remains robust and has pivoted its syndromic, virologic and severe outcomes system components to support coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) surveillance. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the threat of influenza epidemics and pandemics persists. It is imperative 1) to maintain surveillance of influenza, 2) to remain alert to unusual or unexpected events and 3) to be prepared to mitigate influenza epidemics when they resurge.

scholarly journals Epidemiology of influenza: findings from surveillance system of 40 hospital in Thailand, 2010-2019

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Eamchotchawalit ◽  
P Piyaraj ◽  
P Narongdej ◽  
S Charoensakulchai ◽  
C Chanthowong
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Cold Chain ◽  
Influenza Surveillance ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
Private Hospitals ◽  
Influenza A H1n1

Abstract Background Although recent efforts from some Asian countries to describe burden of influenza disease and seasonality, these data are missing for the vast majority, including the private section of Thailand. A near real-time laboratory-based influenza surveillance system, in a network of 40 hospitals was implemented aiming to determine influenza strains circulating in the private hospitals of Thailand and know characteristics, trend and burden of influenza viruses. Methods We obtained the data by monitoring patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) at a network of 40 private hospitals across Thailand. Throat-swab specimens in viral transport media were collected and transported within 24 h of collection using a cold-chain system. The respiratory samples were tested by rapid influenza diagnostic tests and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results From January 2010 to November 2019, a total of 1,300,594 subjects were tested and 320,499 cases of influenza were identified. Of those positive cases, 116,317(36.3%) were influenza type B, 185,512(57.9%) were influenza A unspecified subtype, 8,833(2.7%) were influenza A(H1N1)pdm2009 and 6,371(1.9%) were seasonal influenza A(H3N2). Positive rate were 50.5 and 49.5 in female and male. Positivity rate was 41.4% in persons 15-49 years followed by 29.1% in 15-14 years, 17.6% in under five children and 11.7% in > 49 years. In 2018-2019 season, the highest positivity rate observed in February and March (39.3%) followed by April (34.2%) and January (32.3%) while the lowest positivity rate was in May (18.1%). Conclusions In Thailand, seasonal Influenza A(H3N2), Influenza A(H1N1)pdm2009 and Influenza B viruses were circulating during 2010-2019. In last season, positivity rate and number of cases peaked in February and March. Key messages Influenza is one of public health problems in Thailand. The need to introduce influenza vaccine and antivirus is important to prevent and treat the disease in future.

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