Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 22 December 2015 Virological Surveillance Summary In the Western Pacific Region, the following influenza viruses predominated: Countries providing specimens for FluNet reporting from the Western Pacific Region include Australia, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, and Viet Nam. From week 1 to week 51, 89.8% of influenza specimens provided to FluNet were from China (n=522,901), 3.3% from Australia (n=19,489), 2.5% from New Zealand (n=14,379) and 1.8% from the Republic of Korea (n=10,515). Figure 1: Number of specimens positive for influenza by subtype in Western Pacific Region (Source: FluNet (www.who.int/flunet), accessed 21 December 2015) Influenza surveillance summary Influenza surveillance in the WHO Western Pacific Region is based on outpatient and inpatient sentinel surveillance systems. Case definitions, populations under surveillance and data formats differ among these countries. This influenza surveillance summary includes countries where routine surveillance is conducted and information is available from syndromic surveillance systems for Influenza-like-illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI). Week Predominant viruses 1-9 A (H3) 10-16 B (Yamagata lineage), B (lineage not determined) 17-19 B (Yamagata lineage), A (H3) 20-37 38-42 43-51 A (H3) A (H3), B (lineage not determined) Influenza virus activity is low in all subtypes Influenza Situation Update| 2 The WHO surveillance case definition for ILI is an acute respiratory infection with a measured fever of ≥38oC and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days. For SARI, it is an acute respiratory infection with a history of fever or measured fever of ≥38oC and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days and requires hospitalization. Countries in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere In most countries within the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, ILI and influenza activity remained at low levels. Outpatient ILI Surveillance China (North) During week 49, ILI activity remained low and consistent with the seasonal trend of previous years (2011 – 2014). ILI% at national sentinel hospitals in north China was 2.5%, lower than the previous week (2.6 %) (Figure 2). Mongolia In week 49-50, 2015, ILI activity in Mongolia has increased and follows the seasonal trend (Figure 3). Republic of Korea In week 49, 2015, the proportion of patients visiting sentinel physicians with ILI (7.0/1,000 outpatients) followed the seasonal trend of previous years (2012-2014) and was below baseline (Figure 4). China (North) Figure 2: Percentage of visits for ILI at sentinel hospitals, 2011-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Mongolia Figure 3: Proportion of outpatients that were ILI (per 10,000 people), 2013-2015 (Source: Mongolia National Influenza Center) Republic of Korea Figure 4: Weekly proportion of ILI visits per 1,000 patients 2012-2015 (Source: Korean Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) Influenza Situation Update| 3 Hospital influenza surveillance Japan In Japan, the number of influenza cases reported weekly per hospital sentinel site follows the known seasonal trend (2005–2014), with case numbers remaining low (Figure 5). Figure 5: Number of influenza cases reported weekly per sentinel hospital site, Japan 2005-2015 (Source: Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases) Countries/areas in the tropical zone In week 49-51 of 2015, ILI or Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) activity followed previous seasonal trends in countries/areas in the tropical zone. Outpatient Surveillance Hong Kong (China) - ILI Surveillance During week 50, the overall influenza activity remained low. The average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel general outpatient clinics (GOPCs) was 5.1 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations, which was higher than 3.4 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations recorded in the previous week (Figure 6). The average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel private doctors was 45.8 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations, which was lower than the 47.4 cases recorded in the previous week (Figure 7). The percentage of respiratory specimens in week 50 which tested positive for seasonal influenza viruses was 1.18% (n=34), lower than the previous week (1.61%). Of all respiratory specimens tested in week 50, 0.14% were influenza A(H1) viruses, 0.34% were influenza B, 0.49% were influenza C, and 0.21% were influenza A(H3). Influenza Situation Update| 4 China (South) - ILI Surveillance During week 49, the percentage of outpatient or emergency visits for ILI at national sentinel hospitals in south China was 2.6%, the same as the previous week (2.6%) (Figure 8). In south China, influenza B was the predominant type of influenza detected (64.8%). Of the influenza A subtypes, A(H1N1) was the most common (59.4%). Singapore – ARI Surveillance The average daily number of patients seeking treatment in the polyclinics for ARI decreased from 2,455 (over 5.5 working days) in week 48 to 2,319 (over 5.5 working days) in week 49 (Figure 9). The proportion of patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) among the polyclinic attendances for ARI remained low at approximately 1%. The overall prevalence of influenza among ILI samples (n=90) in the community was 30.0% in the past 4 weeks. Of the specimens that tested positive for influenza in November 2015, 45.8% were positive for influenza B, 37.5% for influenza A(H3N2) and 16.7% for influenza A (H1N1)pdm09. Hong Kong (China) - ILI Surveillance Figure 6: ILI consultation rates at sentinel general outpatient clinics, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) Figure 7: ILI consultation rates at sentinel private doctors, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) China (South) - ILI Surveillance Figure 8: Percentage of visits due to ILI at national sentinel hospitals in South China, 2011-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Singapore - ARI Surveillance Figure 9: Average daily polyclinic attendances for Acute Respiratory Infection, Singapore 2014-2015 (Source: Singapore Ministry of Health) Influenza Situation Update| 5 Countries in the temperate zone of the southern hemisphere Influenza surveillance data from Australia and New Zealand is reported during their influenza season and will not be updated in this report unless unusual activity is apparent. Pacific Island Countries and Areas (PICs)- ILI Surveillance In the Pacific Island Countries and Areas, as of week 50, the number of ILI cases reported remain high in New Caledonia and Tokelau (Figure 10). Figure 10: Reported cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) in PICs (red line), 2014–2015 Global influenza situation updates Epidemiological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/2015_10_19_surveillance_update_248.pdf Virological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/gisrs_laboratory/updates/summaryreport/en/ Global update: http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/latest_update_GIP_surveillance/en/ Influenza Situation Update| 6 Others: Recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2016 southern hemisphere influenza season http://www.who.int/influenza/vaccines/virus/recommendations/2016_south/en/ Antigenic and genetic characteristics of zoonotic influenza viruses and candidate vaccine viruses developed for potential use in human vaccines http://www.who.int/influenza/vaccines/virus/characteristics_virus_vaccines/en/ 4th WHO Informal Consultation on Improving Influenza Vaccine Virus Selection http://www.who.int/influenza/gisrs_laboratory/updates/summaryreport Video on influenza on WHO's YouTube Channel Arabic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxW6Pg1AnwI Chinese: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW9gDKEPitQ English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhhJfT86Bgg French: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mo8rWWJZkc Russian: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQO6nbkKUWQ Spanish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXr75cKxwTY
Influenza Situation Update| 1 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 8 December 2015 Virological Surveillance Summary In the Western Pacific Region, the following influenza viruses predominated: Countries providing specimens for FluNet reporting from the Western Pacific Region include Australia, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, and Viet Nam. From week 1 to week 48, 90.1% of influenza specimens provided to FluNet were from China (n=522,901), 3.4% from Australia (n=19,489), 2.5% from New Zealand (n=14,379) and 1.7% from the Republic of Korea (n=9,822). Figure 1: Number of specimens positive for influenza by subtype in Western Pacific Region (Source: FluNet (www.who.int/flunet), accessed 8 December 2015) Influenza surveillance summary Influenza surveillance in the WHO Western Pacific Region is based on outpatient and inpatient sentinel surveillance systems. Case definitions, populations under surveillance and data formats differ among these countries. This influenza surveillance summary includes countries where routine surveillance is conducted and information is available from syndromic surveillance systems for Influenza-like-illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI). The WHO surveillance case definition for ILI is an acute respiratory infection with a measured fever of ≥38oC and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days. For SARI, it is an acute respiratory infection with a history of fever or measured fever of ≥38oC and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days and requires hospitalization. Week Predominant viruses 1-9 A (H3) 10-16 B (Yamagata lineage), B (lineage not determined) 17-19 B (Yamagata lineage), A (H3) 20-37 38-42 43-48 A (H3) A (H3), B (lineage not determined) Influenza virus activity is low in all subtypes Influenza Situation Update| 2 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 8 December 2015 Countries in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere In most countries within the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, ILI and influenza activity remained at low levels. Outpatient ILI Surveillance China (North) During week 48, ILI activity remained low and consistent with the seasonal trend of previous years (2011 –2014). ILI% at national sentinel hospitals in north China was 2.6%, higher than the previous week (2.5 %) (Figure 2). Mongolia In week 47-48, 2015, ILI activity in Mongolia has increased and follows the seasonal trend (Figure 3). Republic of Korea In week 48, 2015, the proportion of patients visiting sentinel physicians for ILI (5.4/1,000 outpatients) following the seasonal trend of previous years (2012-2014) and was below baseline (Figure 4). China (North) Figure 2: Percentage of visits for ILI at sentinel hospitals, 2011-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Mongolia Figure 3: Proportion of outpatients that were ILI (per 10,000 people), 2013-2015 (Source: Mongolia National Influenza Center) Republic of Korea Figure 4: Weekly proportion of ILI visits per 1,000 patients 2012-2015 (Source: Korean Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) Influenza Situation Update| 3 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 8 December 2015 Hospital influenza surveillance Japan In Japan, the number of influenza cases reported weekly per hospital sentinel site follows the known seasonal trend (2005–2014), with case numbers remaining low (Figure 5). Figure 5: Number of influenza cases reported weekly per sentinel hospital site, Japan 2005-2015(Source: Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases) Countries/areas in the tropical zone In week 47-48 of 2015, ILI or Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) activity followed previous seasonal trends in countries/areas in the tropical zone. Outpatient Surveillance Hong Kong (China) - ILI Surveillance During week 48, the overall influenza activity remained low. The average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel general outpatient clinics (GOPCs) was 5.3 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations, which was higher than 4.3 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations recorded in the previous week (Figure 6). The average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel private doctors was 42.6 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations, which was higher than the 41.3 cases recorded in the previous week (Figure 7). The percentage of respiratory specimens in week 48 which tested positive for seasonal influenza viruses was 1.61% (n=45), higher than the previous week (0.79%). Of the positive results in week 48, 33.3% were influenza A(H1) viruses, 33.3% were influenza B, 17.8% were influenza C, and 15.6% were influenza A(H3N2). China (South) - ILI Surveillance During week 48, the percentage of outpatient or emergency visits for ILI at national sentinel hospitals in south China was 2.5%, lower than the previous week (2.6%) (Figure 8). The level of influenza A(H3N2) (45.1%) and influenza B (49.3%) were the predominant strains detected. Influenza Situation Update| 4 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 8 December 2015 Singapore – ARI Surveillance In week 46-47, the average daily number of patients seeking treatment in the polyclinics for ARI decreased from 2,673 (over 5.5 working days) in week 46 to 2,488 (over 5.5 working days) in week 47 (Figure 9). The proportion of patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) among the polyclinic attendances for ARI remained low at approximately 1%. The overall prevalence of influenza among ILI samples (n=92) in the community was 26.1% in the past 4 weeks. Of the specimens tested positive for influenza in November 2015, 45.8% were influenza B, 37.5% were influenza A(H3N2) and 16.7% were influenza A (H1N1)pdm09. Hong Kong (China) - ILI Surveillance Figure 6: ILI consultation rates at sentinel general outpatient clinics, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) Figure 7: ILI consultation rates at sentinel private doctors, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) China (South) - ILI Surveillance Figure 8: Percentage of visits due to ILI at national sentinel hospitals in South China, 2011-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Singapore - ARI Surveillance Figure 9: Average daily polyclinic attendances for Acute Respiratory Infection, Singapore 2014-2015 (Source: Singapore Ministry of Health) Countries in the temperate zone of the southern hemisphere Influenza surveillance data from Australia and New Zealand is reported during their influenza season and will not be updated in this report unless unusual activity is apparent. Influenza Situation Update| 5 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 8 December 2015 Pacific Island Countries and Areas (PICs)- ILI Surveillance In the Pacific Island Countries and Areas, as of week 48, the numbers of ILI cases reported remain high in Guam, New Caledonia, Niue, and Vanuatu (Figure 10). Figure 10: Weekly consultation rates for influenza-like illness in PICs, 2014–2015 Global influenza situation updates Epidemiological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/2015_10_19_surveillance_update_248.pdf Virological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/gisrs_laboratory/updates/summaryreport/en/ Global update: http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/latest_update_GIP_surveillance/en/ Others: Recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2016 southern hemisphere influenza season http://www.who.int/influenza/vaccines/virus/recommendations/2016_south/en/ Influenza Situation Update| 6 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 8 December 2015 Antigenic and genetic characteristics of zoonotic influenza viruses and candidate vaccine viruses developed for potential use in human vaccines http://www.who.int/influenza/vaccines/virus/characteristics_virus_vaccines/en/ 4th WHO Informal Consultation on Improving Influenza Vaccine Virus Selection http://www.who.int/influenza/gisrs_laboratory/updates/summaryreport Video on influenza on WHO's YouTube Channel Arabic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxW6Pg1AnwI Chinese: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW9gDKEPitQ English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhhJfT86Bgg French: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mo8rWWJZkc Russian: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQO6nbkKUWQ Spanish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXr75cKxwTY
Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 24 November 2015 Virological Surveillance Summary In the Western Pacific Region, the following influenza viruses predominated: Countries providing specimens for FluNet reporting from the Western Pacific Region include Australia, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, and Viet Nam. From week 1 to week 44, 89.3% of influenza specimens provided to FluNet were from China (n=474,255), 3.7% from Australia (n=19,489), 2.7% from New Zealand (n=14,379) and 1.8% from the Republic of Korea (n=9,386). Figure 1: Number of specimens positive for influenza by subtype in Western Pacific Region (Source: FluNet (www.who.int/flunet), accessed 23 November 2015) Influenza surveillance summary Influenza surveillance in the WHO Western Pacific Region is based on outpatient and inpatient sentinel surveillance systems. Case definitions, populations under surveillance and data formats differ among these countries. This influenza surveillance summary includes countries where routine surveillance is conducted and information is available from syndromic surveillance systems for Influenza-like-illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI). Week Predominant viruses 1-9 A (H3) 10-16 B (Yamagata lineage), B (lineage not determined) 17-19 B (Yamagata lineage), A (H3) 20-37 38-42 43-44 A (H3) A (H3), B (lineage not determined) Influenza virus activity is low in all subtypes Influenza Situation Update | 2 The WHO surveillance case definition for ILI is an acute respiratory infection with a measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days. For SARI, it is an acute respiratory infection with a history of fever or measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days and requires hospitalization. Countries in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere In most countries within the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, ILI and influenza activity remained at low levels. Outpatient ILI Surveillance China (North) During week 46, ILI activity remained low and consistent with the seasonal trend of previous years (2011 – 2014). ILI% at national sentinel hospitals in north China was 2.5%, the same as the previous week (2.5 %) (Figure 2). Influenza A (H3N2) was predominant during week 46. Mongolia In week 45-46, 2015, ILI activity in Mongolia has decreased in week 46 after an increase in week 45 and is close to the lower tolerance limit (Figure 3). Republic of Korea In week 46, 2015, the proportion of patients visiting sentinel physicians for ILI (4.4/1,000 outpatients) followed the seasonal trend of previous years (2012-2014) and was below baseline (Figure 4). China (North) Figure 2: Percentage of visits for ILI at sentinel hospitals, 2011-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Mongolia Figure 3: Proportion of outpatients that were ILI (per 10,000 people), 2013-2015 (Source: Mongolia National Influenza Center) Influenza Situation Update | 3 Republic of Korea Hospital influenza surveillance Japan In Japan, the number of influenza cases reported weekly per hospital sentinel site follows the known seasonal trend (2005–2014), with case numbers remaining low (Figure 5). Figure 5: Number of influenza cases reported weekly per sentinel hospital site, Japan 2005-2015(Source: Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases) Countries/areas in the tropical zone In week 44-46 of 2015, ILI or Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) activity followed previous seasonal trends in countries/areas in the tropical zone. Figure 4: Weekly proportion of ILI visits per 1,000 patients 2012-2015 (Source: Korean Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) Influenza Situation Update | 4 Outpatient Surveillance Hong Kong (China) - ILI Surveillance During week 46, the overall influenza activity in the past week remained low. The average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel general outpatient clinics (GOPCs) was 4.4 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations, which was higher than 3.5 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations recorded in the previous week (Figure 6). The average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel private doctors was 46.6 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations, which was higher than the 38.7 cases recorded in the previous week (Figure 7). The percentage of respiratory specimens in week 46 which tested positive for seasonal influenza viruses was 1.32% (n=37), similar to the previous week (1.37%). Of the positive results in week 46, 32.4% were influenza B viruses, 29.7% were influenza A(H1) and 24.3% were influenza A(H3N2), compared to 29.7% and in the previous week. China (South) - ILI Surveillance During week 46, the percentage of outpatient or emergency visits for ILI at national sentinel hospitals in south China was 2.4%, the same as the previous week (2.4%) (Figure 8). The level of influenza A(H3N2) (55.4%) and influenza B (44.6%) were the predominant strains detected. Singapore – ARI Surveillance In week 44-45, the average daily number of patients seeking treatment in the polyclinics for ARI increased from 2,533 (over 5.5 working days) in week 44 to 2,721 (over 5.5 working days) in week 45 (Figure 9). The proportion of patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) among the polyclinic attendances for ARI remained low at approximately 1%. Hong Kong (China) - ILI Surveillance Figure 6: ILI consultation rates at sentinel general outpatient clinics, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) Figure 7: ILI consultation rates at sentinel private doctors, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) Influenza Situation Update | 5 China (South) - ILI Surveillance Figure 8: Percentage of visits due to ILI at national sentinel hospitals in South China, 2011-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Singapore - ARI Surveillance Figure 9: Average daily polyclinic attendances for Acute Respiratory Infection, Singapore 2014-2015 (Source: Singapore Ministry of Health) Countries in the temperate zone of the southern hemisphere Influenza surveillance data from Australia and New Zealand is reported during their influenza season and will not be updated in this report unless unusual activity is apparent. Pacific Island Countries and Areas (PICs)- ILI Surveillance (no update) In the PICs, the numbers of cases reported are above threshold in Guam, Nauru, New Caledonia and Marshall Islands. There is an on-going influenza vaccination campaign in Marshall Islands (Figure 10). Influenza Situation Update | 6 Figure 10: Weekly consultation rates for influenza-like illness in PICs, 2014–2015 Global influenza situation updates Epidemiological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/2015_10_19_surveillance_update_248.pdf Virological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/gisrs_laboratory/updates/summaryreport/en/ Global update: http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/latest_update_GIP_surveillance/en/ Influenza Situation Update | 7 Others: Recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2016 southern hemisphere influenza season http://www.who.int/influenza/vaccines/virus/recommendations/2016_south/en/ Antigenic and genetic characteristics of zoonotic influenza viruses and candidate vaccine viruses developed for potential use in human vaccines http://www.who.int/influenza/vaccines/virus/characteristics_virus_vaccines/en/ 4th WHO Informal Consultation on Improving Influenza Vaccine Virus Selection http://www.who.int/influenza/gisrs_laboratory/updates/summaryreport Video on influenza on WHO's YouTube Channel Arabic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxW6Pg1AnwI Chinese: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW9gDKEPitQ English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhhJfT86Bgg French: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mo8rWWJZkc Russian: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQO6nbkKUWQ Spanish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXr75cKxwTY
Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 13 October 2015 Virological Surveillance Summary In the Western Pacific Region, the following influenza viruses predominated: Countries providing specimens for FluNet reporting from the Western Pacific Region include Australia, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, and Viet Nam. From week 1 to week 39 (as of 12 October) 89.6% of influenza specimens provided to FluNet were from China (n=423,455), 3.4% from Australia (n=16,080), 2.9% from New Zealand (n=13,615) and 1.7% from the Republic of Korea (n=8,040). Figure 1: Number of specimens positive for influenza by subtype in Western Pacific Region (Source: FluNet (www.who.int/flunet), accessed 13 October 2015) Influenza surveillance summary Influenza surveillance in the WHO Western Pacific Region is based on outpatient and inpatient sentinel surveillance systems. Case definitions, populations under surveillance and data formats differ among these countries. This influenza surveillance summary includes countries where routine surveillance is conducted and information is available from syndromic surveillance systems for Influenza-like-illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI). Week Predominant viruses 1-9 A (H3) 10-16 B (Yamagata lineage), B (lineage not determined) 17-19 B (Yamagata lineage), A (H3) 20-37 38-40 A (H3) A (H3), B (lineage not determined) Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update| 2 The WHO surveillance case definition for ILI is an acute respiratory infection with a measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days. For SARI, it is an acute respiratory infection with a history of fever or measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days and requires hospitalization. Countries in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere In most countries within the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, ILI and influenza activity remained at low levels. Outpatient ILI Surveillance China (North) During week 39, ILI activity remained low and consistent with the seasonal trend of previous years (2011 –2014). ILI% at national sentinel hospitals in north China was 2.3%, which was same as the previous week (2.3 %) (Figure 2). Influenza A (H3N2) was dominant during week 39. Mongolia In week 39-40, 2015, ILI activity in Mongolia has decreased after a sharp increase in week 38 and is below the upper tolerance limit. (Figure 3). Republic of Korea In week 39, 2015, the proportion of patients visiting sentinel physicians for ILI (4.0/1,000 outpatients) followed the seasonal trend of previous years (2011-2014) and was below baseline(Figure 4). China (North) Figure 2: Percentage of visits for ILI at sentinel hospitals, 2011-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Mongolia Figure 3: Proportion of outpatients that were ILI (per 10,000 people), 2013-2015 (Source: Mongolia National Influenza Center) Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update| 3 Republic of Korea Hospital influenza surveillance Japan In Japan, the number of influenza cases reported weekly per hospital sentinel site follows the known seasonal trend (2005–2014), with case numbers remaining low (Figure 5). Figure 5: Number of influenza cases reported weekly per sentinel hospital site, Japan 2005-2015(Source: Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases) Figure 4: Weekly proportion of ILI visits per 1,000 patients 2012-2015 (Source: Korean Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update| 4 Countries/areas in the tropical zone In week 36-38 of 2015, ILI or Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) activity followed previous seasonal trends in countries/areas in the tropical zone. Outpatient Surveillance Hong Kong (China)- ILI Surveillance During week 40, the overall influenza activity in the past week remained low and the average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel general outpatient clinics (GOPCs) was 3.6 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations, which was lower than 6.9 recorded in the previous week (Figure 6). The average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel private doctors was 48.2 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations, which was higher than the 38.7 cases recorded in the previous week (Figure7). The percentage of respiratory specimens which tested positive for seasonal influenza viruses last week was 1.45%. Of the positive results, the proportions of influenza A(H3N2) and influenza B viruses in the last week were 61.5% and 25.6%, respectively, compared to 66.7% and 18.0% in the previous week. China (South)- ILI Surveillance During week 39, the percentage of outpatient or emergency visits for ILI at national sentinel hospitals in south China was 2.7%, higher than the previous week in 2011, 2012,2013 and 2014（2.4%, 2.2%, 2.4% and 2.5%, respectively）(Figure 8). Influenza A(H3N2) was dominant in week 39 (85.0%); however, influenza B was also detected (15.0%). Singapore – ARI Surveillance In week 38-39, the average daily number of patients seeking treatment in the polyclinics for ARI increased from 2,738 (over 4.5 working days) in week 38 to 2,929 (over 5.5 working days) in week 39 (Figure 9). Hong Kong (China) - ILI Surveillance Figure 6: ILI consultation rates at sentinel general outpatient clinics, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) Figure 7: ILI consultation rates at sentinel private doctors, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update| 5 China (South) - ILI Surveillance Figure 8: Percentage of visits due to ILI at national sentinel hospitals in South China, 2011-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Singapore - ARI Surveillance Figure 9: Average daily polyclinic attendances for Acute Respiratory Infection, Singapore 2014-2015 (Source: Singapore Ministry of Health) Countries in the temperate zone of the southern hemisphere Influenza activity appears to have peaked in week 36-37 in Australia and has passed the peak in New Zealand. Australia – Laboratory-confirmed influenza (No Update) Influenza activity has decreased with a downward trend since 15 August 2015. As of 11 September, Australia reported 74,220 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza for the year so far. In the fortnight ending 11 September, 14,408 notifications were reported (Figure 10). Influenza B continues to be the dominant influenza virus type nationally, comprising over two thirds of all notifications. Figure 10: Australian notifications of laboratory confirmed influenza, 2011-2015 (Source: National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, Australian Department of Health) Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update| 6 New Zealand –Influenza like Illness During week 39, ILI through sentinel surveillance was reported from 17 out of 20 District Health Boards resulting in a national consultation rate of 39.3 per 100,000 (118 ILI consultations). This is slightly above the seasonal threshold, but below the alert threshold (Figure 11 and 12). In New Zealand, the predominant strain in positive swabs was influenza B. Figure 11. Weekly consultation rates for influenza-like illness in New Zealand, 2009–2015 Figure 12: Weekly consultation rates for influenza-like illness in New Zealand in 2015 in comparison to the average seasonal curve, 2000–2013 (exc. 2009) Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update| 7 Pacific Island Countries and Areas (PICs)- ILI Surveillance • In the PICs, ILI activity was variable with an increasing trend in ILI activity observed in a number of islands, in particular Guam, Nauru, New Caledonia, Palau and Vanuatu (Figure 13). • An outbreak is ongoing in the Northern Marianna Islands however there has been a decrease in the weekly number of cases reported for week ending 4 October, 2015. Figure 13: Weekly consultation rates for influenza-like illness in PICs, 2014–2015 Global influenza situation updates Epidemiological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/2015_09_21_surveillance_update_246.pdf?ua=1 Virological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/gisrs_laboratory/updates/summaryreport/en/ Global update: http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/latest_update_GIP_surveillance/en/ Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update| 8 Others: Recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2016 southern hemisphere influenza season http://www.who.int/influenza/vaccines/virus/recommendations/2016_south/en/ Antigenic and genetic characteristics of zoonotic influenza viruses and candidate vaccine viruses developed for potential use in human vaccines http://www.who.int/influenza/vaccines/virus/characteristics_virus_vaccines/en/ 4th WHO Informal Consultation on Improving Influenza Vaccine Virus Selection http://www.who.int/influenza/gisrs_laboratory/updates/summaryreport Video on influenza on WHO's YouTube Channel Arabic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxW6Pg1AnwI Chinese: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW9gDKEPitQ English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhhJfT86Bgg French: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mo8rWWJZkc Russian: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQO6nbkKUWQ Spanish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXr75cKxwTY
Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 29 September 2015 Virological Surveillance Summary In the Western Pacific Region, the following influenza viruses predominated: Countries providing specimens for FluNet reporting from the Western Pacific Region include Australia, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, and Viet Nam. From week 1 to week 38, as of 28 September 2015, 89.9% of influenza specimens provided to FluNet were from China (n=405,896), 3.6% from Australia (n=16,356), 2.2% from New Zealand (n=9,967) and 1.8% from Republic of Korea (n=8,040). Figure 1: Number of specimens positive for influenza by subtype in Western Pacific Region (Source: FluNet (www.who.int/flunet), accessed 28 September 2015) Influenza surveillance summary Influenza surveillance in the WHO Western Pacific Region is based on outpatient and inpatient sentinel surveillance systems. Case definitions, populations under surveillance and data formats differ among these countries. This influenza surveillance summary includes countries where routine surveillance is conducted and information is available from syndromic surveillance systems for Influenza-like-illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI). The WHO surveillance case definition for ILI is an acute respiratory infection with a measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days. For SARI, it is an acute respiratory infection with a history of fever or measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days and requires hospitalization. Week Predominant viruses 1-9 A (H3) 10-16 B (Yamagata lineage), B (lineage not determined) 17-19 B (Yamagata lineage), A (H3) 20-37 38 A (H3) A (H3), B (lineage not determined) Influenza Situation Update| 2 Countries in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere In most countries within the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, ILI and influenza activity remained at low levels. Outpatient ILI Surveillance China (North) During week 38, ILI activity remained low and consistent with the seasonal trend of previous years (2011 – 2014). ILI% at national sentinel hospitals in north China was 2.3%, which was same as the previous week (2.3 %) (Figure 2). Influenza A (H3N2) was dominant during week 38. Mongolia In week 37-38, 2015, ILI activity in Mongolia has been rising sharply and in week 38 was just below the upper tolerance limit of 90%. (Figure 3). Republic of Korea In week 37-38, 2015, the proportion of patients visiting sentinel physicians for ILI (4.7 and 4.6/1,000 outpatients, respectively) followed the seasonal trend of previous years (2011-2014) and was below baseline(Figure 4). China (North) Figure 2: Percentage of visits for ILI at sentinel hospitals, 2011-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Mongolia Figure 3: Proportion of outpatients that were ILI (per 10,000 people), 2013-2015 (Source: Mongolia National Influenza Center) Republic of Korea Figure 4: Weekly proportion of ILI visits per 1,000 patients 2012-2015 (Source: Korean Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) Influenza Situation Update| 3 Hospital influenza surveillance Japan In Japan, the number of influenza cases reported weekly per hospital sentinel site follows the known seasonal trend (2005–2014), with case numbers remaining low (Figure 5). Figure 5: Number of influenza cases reported weekly per sentinel hospital site, Japan 2005-2015(Source: Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases) Countries/areas in the tropical zone In week 36-38 of 2015, ILI or Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) activity followed previous seasonal trends in countries/areas in the tropical zone. Outpatient Surveillance Hong Kong (China)- ILI Surveillance During week 38, the overall influenza activity in the past week remained low and the average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel general outpatient clinics (GOPCs) was 3.6 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations, which was the same as that recorded in the previous week (Figure 6). The average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel private doctors was 49.2 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations, which was higher than the 40.7 cases recorded in the previous week (Figure7). The percentage of respiratory specimens which tested positive for seasonal influenza viruses last week was 1.85%. Of the positive results, the proportions of influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B viruses in the last week were 66.7% and 22.2%, respectively, compared to 83.8% and 11.8% in previous week. China (South)- ILI Surveillance During week 38, the percentage of outpatient or emergency visits for ILI at national sentinel hospitals in south China was 2.7%, higher than the previous week in 2011, 2012, and 2014（2.4%, 2.4% and 2.5%, but lower than the same week of 2013 (2.9%) (Figure 8). Influenza A (H3N2) was dominant in week 38 (84.3%), but Influenza B was also detected (15.7%). Singapore – ARI Surveillance In week 36-37, the average daily number of patients seeking treatment in the polyclinics for ARI increased from 2,280 (over 4.5 working days) in week 36 to 2,821 (over 5.5 working days) in week 37 (Figure 9). Influenza Situation Update| 4 Hong Kong (China) - ILI Surveillance Figure 6: ILI consultation rates at sentinel general outpatient clinics, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) Figure 7: ILI consultation rates at sentinel private doctors, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) China (South) - ILI Surveillance Figure 8: Percentage of visits due to ILI at national sentinel hospitals in South China, 2011-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Singapore - ARI Surveillance Figure 9: Average daily polyclinic attendances for Acute Respiratory Infection, Singapore 2014-2015 (Source: Singapore Ministry of Health) Influenza Situation Update| 5 Countries in the temperate zone of the southern hemisphere Influenza activity appears to have peaked in week 36-37 in Australia and has passed the peak in New Zealand. Australia – Laboratory-confirmed influenza Influenza activity has decreased with a downward trend since 15 August 2015. As of 11 September, Australia reported 74,220 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza for the year so far. In the fortnight ending 11 September, 14,408 notifications were reported (Figure 10). Influenza B continues to be the dominant influenza virus type nationally, comprising over two thirds of all notifications. Figure 10: Australian notifications of laboratory confirmed influenza, 2011-2015 (Source: National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, Australian Department of Health) New Zealand –Influenza like Illness During week 38, ILI through sentinel surveillance was reported from 18 out of 20 District Health Boards resulting in a national consultation rate of 41.8 per 100,000 (130 ILI consultations). This is above the seasonal threshold, but below the alert threshold (Figure 11 and 12). In New Zealand, the predominant strain in positive swabs was influenza B. Figure 11. Weekly consultation rates for influenza-like illness in New Zealand, 2009–2015 Figure 12: Weekly consultation rates for influenza-like illness in New Zealand in 2015 in comparison to the average seasonal curve, 2000–2013 (exc. 2009) Influenza Situation Update| 6 Pacific Island Countries and Areas (PICs)- ILI Surveillance • In the PICs, ILI activity was variable with an increasing trend in ILI activity observed in a number of islands, in particular Niue, Northern Mariana Islands and Tuvalu (Figure 13). • An outbreak is ongoing in the Northern Marianna Islands however there has been a decrease in the weekly number of cases reported for week ending 20 September, 2015. • Influenza B and Influenza A (H3N2) have been reported in ILI cases from New Caledonia. Figure 13: Weekly consultation rates for influenza-like illness in PICs, 2014–2015 Global influenza situation updates Epidemiological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/2015_09_21_surveillance_update_246.pdf?ua=1 Virological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/gisrs_laboratory/updates/summaryreport/en/ Others: Recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2016 southern hemisphere influenza season http://www.who.int/influenza/vaccines/virus/recommendations/2016_south/en/ Antigenic and genetic characteristics of zoonotic influenza viruses and candidate vaccine viruses developed for potential use in human vaccines http://www.who.int/influenza/vaccines/virus/characteristics_virus_vaccines/en/
Influenza Situation Update| 1 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 15 September 2015 Virological Surveillance Summary In the Western Pacific Region, the following influenza viruses predominated: Countries providing specimens for FluNet reporting from the Western Pacific Region include Australia, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, and Viet Nam. From week 1 to week 36, as of 14 September 2015, 90.0% of influenza specimens provided to FluNet were from China (n=392,225), 3.4% from Australia (n=14,894) and 2.3% from New Zealand (n=9,967). Figure 1: Number of specimens positive for influenza by subtype in Western Pacific Region (Source: FluNet (www.who.int/flunet), accessed 14 September 2015) Influenza surveillance summary Influenza surveillance in the WHO Western Pacific Region is based on outpatient and inpatient sentinel surveillance systems. Case definitions, populations under surveillance and data formats differ among these countries. This influenza surveillance summary includes countries where routine surveillance is conducted and information is available from syndromic surveillance systems for Influenza-like-illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI). The WHO surveillance case definition for ILI is an acute respiratory infection with a measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days. For SARI, it is an acute respiratory infection with a history of fever or measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days and requires hospitalization. Week Predominant viruses 1-9 A (H3) 10-16 B (Yamagata lineage), B (lineage not determined) 17-19 B (Yamagata lineage), A (H3) 20-36 A (H3) Influenza Situation Update| 2 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 15 September 2015 Countries in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere In most countries within the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, ILI and influenza activity remained at low levels. Outpatient ILI Surveillance China (North) During week 36, ILI activity remained low and consistent with the seasonal trend of previous years (2011 –2014). ILI% at national sentinel hospitals in north China was 2.4%, which was same as the previous week (2.4 %) (Figure 2). Influenza A (H3N2) was dominant during week 36. Mongolia In week 35-36, 2015, ILI activity in Mongolia remained low and has been gradually rising (Figure 3). Republic of Korea In week 35-36, 2015, the proportion of patients visiting sentinel physicians for ILI (4.5 and 5.2/1,000 outpatients, respectively) remained low and follows the seasonal trend of previous years (2011-2014), which was below the baseline (Figure 4). China (North) Figure 2: Percentage of visits for ILI at sentinel hospitals, 2011-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Mongolia Figure 3: Proportion of outpatients that were ILI (per 10,000 people), 2013-2015 (Source: Mongolia National Influenza Center) Republic of Korea Figure 4: Weekly proportion of ILI visits per 1,000 patients 2012-2015 (Source: Korean Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) Influenza Situation Update| 3 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 15 September 2015 Hospital influenza surveillance Japan In Japan, the number of influenza cases reported weekly per hospital sentinel site follows the known seasonal trend (2005–2014), with case numbers remaining low (Figure 5). Figure 5: Number of influenza cases reported weekly per sentinel hospital site, Japan 2005-2015(Source: Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases) Countries/areas in the tropical zone In week 35-36 of 2015, decreased ILI or Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) activity was reported in countries/areas in the tropical zone. Outpatient Surveillance Hong Kong (China)- ILI Surveillance During week 36, the overall influenza activity in the past week remained low and the average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel general outpatient clinics (GOPCs) was 3.9 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations, which was lower than 4.7 recorded in the previous week (Figure 6). The average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel private doctors was 37.6 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations, which was similar to the 44.2 recorded in the previous week (Figure7). Influenza A (H3N2) was detected dominantly during week 36. China (South)- ILI Surveillance During week 36, the percentage of outpatient or emergency visits for ILI at national sentinel hospitals in south China was 2.8%, lower than the previous week (2.9%) and higher than the same period of 2011– 2014 (Figure 8). Influenza A (H3N2) was dominant in week 36. Singapore – ARI Surveillance In week 34-35, the average daily number of patients seeking treatment in the polyclinics for ARI decreased from 2,625 (over 5.5 working days) in week 34 to 2,423 (over 5.5 working days) in week 35 (Figure 9). Influenza A(H3N2) was dominant (52.0%), following Influenza B (40.0%) and Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 (8.0%) in August 2015. Influenza Situation Update| 4 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 15 September 2015 Hong Kong (China) - ILI Surveillance Figure 6: ILI consultation rates at sentinel general outpatient clinics, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) Figure 7: ILI consultation rates at sentinel private doctors, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) China (South) - ILI Surveillance Figure 8: Percentage of visits due to ILI at national sentinel hospitals in South China, 2011-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Singapore - ARI Surveillance Figure 9: Average daily polyclinic attendances for Acute Respiratory Infection, Singapore 2014-2015 (Source: Singapore Ministry of Health) Countries in the temperate zone of the southern hemisphere Influenza activity appears to have peaked in week 35-36 in Australia and has passed the peak in New Zealand. Australia – Laboratory-confirmed influenza Influenza activity has decreased with a downward trend since 14 August 2015. As of 28 August, Australia reported 58,160 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza for the year so far, with 17,001 reported in the fortnight ending 28 August (Figure 10). Influenza B continues to be the dominant influenza virus type nationally, comprising over two thirds of all notifications Influenza Situation Update| 5 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 15 September 2015 Figure 10: Australian notifications of laboratory confirmed influenza, 2011-2015 (Source: National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, Australian Department of Health) New Zealand –Influenza like Illness During week 36, ILI through sentinel surveillance was reported from 18 out of 20 District Health Boards resulting in a national consultation rate of 77.2 per 100,000 (244 ILI consultations). This is above the seasonal threshold, but below the alert threshold (Figure 11 and 12). In New Zealand, more than half of cases were caused by influenza B. Figure 11. Weekly consultation rates for influenza-like illness in New Zealand, 2009–2015 Figure 12: Weekly consultation rates for influenza-like illness in New Zealand in 2015 in comparison to the average seasonal curve, 2000–2013 (exc. 2009) Influenza Situation Update| 6 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 15 September 2015 Pacific Island Countries and Areas (PICs)- ILI Surveillance In the PICs, ILI activity was variable with an increasing trend in ILI activity observed in a number of islands, particularly in the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, French Polynesia, Guam and Northern Mariana Islands (Figure 13). Figure 13: Weekly consultation rates for influenza-like illness in PICs, 2014–2015 Global influenza situation updates Epidemiological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/2015_08_24_surveillance_update_244.pdf?ua=1 Virological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/gisrs_laboratory/updates/summaryreport/en/
Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 1 September 2015 Virological Surveillance Summary In the Western Pacific Region, the following influenza viruses predominated: Countries providing specimens for FluNet reporting from the Western Pacific Region include Australia, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, and Viet Nam. From week 1 to week 34, as of 31 August 2015, 90.1% of influenza specimens provided to FluNet were from China (n=372,399), 3.2% from Australia (n=13,279) and 1.8% from Republic of Korea (n=7,233). Figure 1: Number of specimens positive for influenza by subtype in Western Pacific Region (Source: FluNet (www.who.int/flunet), accessed 31 August 2015) Influenza surveillance summary Influenza surveillance in the WHO Western Pacific Region is based on outpatient and inpatient sentinel surveillance systems. Case definitions, populations under surveillance and data formats differ among these countries. This influenza surveillance summary includes countries where routine surveillance is conducted and information is available from syndromic surveillance systems for Influenza-like-illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI). The WHO surveillance case definition for ILI is an acute respiratory infection with a measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days. For SARI, it is an acute respiratory infection with a history of fever or measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days and requires hospitalization. Week Predominant viruses 1-9 A (H3) 10-16 B (Yamagata lineage), B (lineage not determined) 17-19 B (Yamagata lineage), A (H3) 20-32 33-34 A (H3) B (lineage not determined) Influenza Situation Update| 2 Countries in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere In most countries within the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, ILI and influenza activity remained at low levels. Outpatient ILI Surveillance China (North) During week 32, ILI activity remained low and consistent with the seasonal trend of previous years (2011 – 2014). ILI% at national sentinel hospitals in north China was 2.5%, which was higher than week 31 (2.4%) (Figure 2). Mongolia In week 33-34, 2015, ILI activity in Mongolia remained low and has been following the seasonal trend (Figure 3). Republic of Korea In week 33 and 34, 2015, the proportion of patients visiting sentinel physicians for ILI (4.4 and 4.3/1,000 outpatients, respectively) remained low and follows the seasonal trend of previous years (2011-2014), which was below the baseline (Figure 4). China (North) Figure 2: Percentage of visits for ILI at sentinel hospitals, 2011-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Mongolia Figure 3: Proportion of outpatients that were ILI (per 10,000 people), 2013-2015 (Source: Mongolia National Influenza Center) Republic of Korea Figure 4: Weekly proportion of ILI visits per 1,000 patients 2011-2015 (Source: Korean Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) Influenza Situation Update| 3 Hospital influenza surveillance Japan In Japan, the number of influenza cases reported weekly per hospital sentinel site follows the known seasonal trend (2005–2014), with case numbers remaining low (Figure 5). Figure 5: Number of influenza cases reported weekly per sentinel hospital site, Japan 2005-2015 (Source: Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases) Countries/areas in the tropical zone In week 32-34 of 2015, increased ILI or Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) activity was reported in countries/areas in the tropical zone. Outpatient Surveillance Hong Kong (China)- ILI Surveillance In Hong Kong, China, the overall influenza activity in the past week remained low. In week 34, the average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel general outpatient clinics (GOPCs) was 5.2 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations, which was similar to the 5.0 per 1,000 recorded in the previous week (Figure 6). The average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel private doctors was 30.1 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations, which was similar to the 29.9 per 1,000 recorded in the previous week (Figure7). China (South)- ILI Surveillance During week 32, the percentage of outpatient or emergency visits for ILI at national sentinel hospitals in south China was 3.3%, lower than week 31 (3.8%) and higher than the same week of 2011–2014 (Figure 8). Singapore – ARI Surveillance The average daily number of patients seeking treatment in the polyclinics for ARI decreased from 2,880 (over 4.5 working days) in week 32 to 2,810 (over 5.5 working days) in week 33 (Figure 9). Influenza Situation Update| 4 Hong Kong (China) - ILI Surveillance Figure 6: ILI consultation rates at sentinel general outpatient clinics, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) Figure 7: ILI consultation rates at sentinel private doctors, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) China (South) - ILI Surveillance Figure 8: Percentage of visits due to ILI at national sentinel hospitals in South China, 2010-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Singapore - ARI Surveillance Figure 9: Average daily polyclinic attendances for Acute Respiratory Infection, Singapore 2014-2015 (Source: Singapore Ministry of Health) Countries in the temperate zone of the southern hemisphere Influenza activity in week 33-34 has increased in Australia, and has surpassed the seasonal threshold in New Zealand. In Australia, influenza B continues to be the dominant influenza virus type, comprising two thirds of all notifications. In New Zealand, more than half of cases were caused by influenza B. Australia – Laboratory-confirmed influenza Influenza activity continued to increase. All jurisdictions with the exception of Western Australia have shown an increase in activity. As of 14 August 2015, Australia reported 39,137 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza for the year so far, with 11,796 reported in the fortnight ending 14 August.(Figure 10). Influenza Situation Update| 5 Figure 10: Australian notifications of laboratory confirmed influenza, 2011-2015 (Source: National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, Australian Department of Health) New Zealand –Influenza like Illness ILI through sentinel surveillance was reported from 18 out of 20 District Health Boards resulting in a national consultation rate of 123.7 per 100,000 for weeks 34 (415 ILI consultations). This is above the seasonal threshold, but below the alert threshold (Figure 11 and 12). Figure 11. Weekly consultation rates for influenza-like illness in New Zealand, 2009–2015 Figure 12: Weekly consultation rates for influenza-like illness in New Zealand in 2015 in comparison to the average seasonal curve, 2000–2013 (exc. 2009) Pacific Island Countries and Areas (PICs)- ILI Surveillance In the PICs, ILI activity was variable with an increasing trend in ILI activity observed in a number of islands, particularly in the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, Tokelau, Tonga and Vanuatu. (Figure 13). The Fiji National Influenza Surveillance System has detected influenza B in circulation in Fiji, responsible for all influenza positive cases (n=8) from the week ending 26 July to 23 August , 2015 (week 34). Influenza Situation Update| 6 Figure 13: Weekly consultation rates for influenza-like illness in PICs, 2014–2015 Global influenza situation updates Epidemiological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/2015_08_24_surveillance_update_244.pdf?ua=1 Virological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/gisrs_laboratory/updates/summaryreport/en/
Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 18 August 2015 Virological Surveillance Summary In the Western Pacific Region, the following influenza viruses predominated: Countries providing specimens for FluNet reporting from the Western Pacific Region include Australia, China, Fiji, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, and Viet Nam. From week 1 to week 31 of 2015, 92.0% of influenza specimens provided to FluNet were from China (n=359,175), 2.96% from Australia (n=11,559) and 1.76% from Republic of Korea (n=6,891). Figure 1: Number of specimens positive for influenza by subtype in Western Pacific Region (Source: FluNet (www.who.int/flunet) Accessed 18 August 2015) Influenza surveillance summary Influenza surveillance in the WHO Western Pacific Region is based on outpatient and inpatient sentinel surveillance systems. Case definitions, populations under surveillance and data formats differ among these countries. This influenza surveillance summary includes countries where routine surveillance is conducted and information is available from syndromic surveillance systems for Influenza-like-illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI). The WHO surveillance case definition for ILI is an acute respiratory infection with a measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days. For SARI, it is an acute respiratory infection with a history of fever or measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days and requires hospitalization. Week Predominant viruses 1-9 A (H3) 10-16 B (Yamagata lineage), B (lineage not determined) 17-19 B (Yamagata lineage), A (H3) 20-32 A (H3) Influenza Situation Update| 2 Countries in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere In most countries within the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, ILI and influenza activity remained at low levels. Outpatient ILI Surveillance China (North) During week 31, ILI activity is remained low and consistent with the seasonal trend of previous years (2011 – 2014). ILI% at national sentinel hospitals in north China was 2.4%, which was as same as the last week. (Figure 2). Mongolia In week 32, 2015, ILI activity in Mongolia remained low and has been following the seasonal trend. (Figure 3). Republic of Korea In week 32, 2015, the proportion of patients visiting sentinel physicians for ILI (4.4/1,000 outpatients) remained low and follows the seasonal trend of previous years (2011-2014), which was below the baseline (Figure 4). China (North) Figure 2: Percentage of visits for ILI at sentinel hospitals, 2010-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Mongolia Figure 3: Proportion of outpatients that were ILI (per 10,000 people), 2013-2015 (Source: Mongolia National Influenza Center) Republic of Korea Figure 4: Weekly proportion of ILI visits per 1,000 patients 2011-2015 (Source: Korean Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) Influenza Situation Update| 3 Influenza Situation Update| 4 Hospital influenza surveillance Japan In Japan, the number of influenza cases reported weekly per hospital sentinel site follows the known seasonal trend (2005 – 2014), with case numbers remaining low (Figure 5). Figure 5: Number of influenza cases reported weekly per sentinel hospital site, Japan 2005-2015 (Source: Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases) Countries/areas in the tropical zone In week 31-32 of 2015, increased ILI or Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) activity was reported in countries/areas in the tropical zone. Outpatient Surveillance Hong Kong (China)- ILI Surveillance The summer influenza season had already ended and the overall influenza activity in the past week remained at a low level. In week 32, the average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel general outpatient clinics (GOPCs) was 5.2 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations, which decreased from 8.0 reported in the previous week (Figure 6). The average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel private doctors increased to 36.0 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations from 31.4 recorded in the previous week (Figure 7). China (South)- ILI Surveillance During week 31, the percentage of outpatient or emergency visits for ILI at national sentinel hospitals in south China was 3.8%, higher than the last week (3.6%) and same week of 2011-2014 (2.7%, 3.4%, 2.8% and 3.5%) (Figure 8). Singapore – ARI Surveillance The average daily number of patients seeking treatment in the polyclinics for ARI increased from 2,392 (over 5.5 working days) in E-week 30 to 2,475 (over 4.5 working days) in E-week 31. (Figure 9). Influenza Situation Update| 5 Hong Kong (China) - ILI Surveillance Figure 6: ILI consultation rates at sentinel general outpatient clinics, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) Figure 7: ILI consultation rates at sentinel private doctors, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) China (South) - ILI Surveillance Figure 8: Percentage of visits due to ILI at national sentinel hospitals in South China, 2010-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Singapore - ARI Surveillance Figure 9: Average daily policlinic attendances for Acute Respiratory Infection, Singapore 2014-2015 (Source: Singapore Ministry of Health) Countries in the temperate zone of the southern hemisphere Influenza or ILI activity is increased in most of the reporting countries in the southern hemisphere and surpassed country-specific threshold level for Australia and New Zealand. Australia – Laboratory-confirmed influenza Influenza activity continued to increase nationally this fortnight. Across jurisdictions activity varied, suggesting that the season may be close to peaking in some areas but may continue to increase in others. As of 31 July2015, there were 26,285 cases of laboratory-confirmed influenza, with 6,721 reported in the most recent fortnight (Figure 10). Influenza Situation Update| 6 Figure 10: Australian notifications of laboratory confirmed influenza (Source: National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, Australian Department of Health) New Zealand –Influenza like Illness ILI through sentinel surveillance was reported from 18 out of 20 District Health Boards with a national consultation rate of 120.0 per 100, 000 (396 ILI consultations). The current rate of ILI is above the seasonal threshold and following that of 2010 and 2012 (Figure 11). Figure 11: Weekly consultation rates for influenza-like illness in New Zealand, 2010–2015 Influenza Situation Update| 7 Pacific Island Countries and Areas (PICs)- ILI Surveillance In the PICs, ILI activity was variable with an increasing trend observed in a number of islands, particularly in the Solomon Islands, Nauru, Tokelau, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu the number of ILI cases have been increasing. (Figure 12). Figure 12: Weekly consultation rates for influenza-like illness in PICs, 2014–2015 Global influenza situation updates Epidemiological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/2015_08_10_surveillance_update_243-TB_cc.pdf Virological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/latest_update_GIP_surveillance/en/
Influenza Situation Update| 1 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 04 August 2015 Virological Surveillance Summary In the Western Pacific Region, the following influenza viruses predominated: Countries providing specimens for FluNet reporting from the Western Pacific Region include Australia, China, Fiji, Lao PDR, Mongolia, New Zealand, Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, and Viet Nam. From week 1 to week 29 of 2015, 92.24% of influenza specimens provided to FluNet were from China (n=34,4997), 2.69% from Australia (n=10,056) and 1.76% from Republic of Korea (n=6,599). Figure 1: Number of specimens positive for influenza by subtype in Western Pacific Region (Source: FluNet (www.who.int/flunet) Accessed 4 August 2015) Influenza surveillance summary Influenza surveillance in the WHO Western Pacific Region is based on outpatient and inpatient sentinel surveillance systems. Case definitions, populations under surveillance and data formats differ among these countries. This influenza surveillance summary includes countries where routine surveillance is conducted and information is available from syndromic surveillance systems for Influenza-like-illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI). The WHO surveillance case definition for ILI is an acute respiratory infection with a measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days. For SARI, it is an acute respiratory infection with a history of fever or measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days and requires hospitalization. Week Predominant viruses 1-9 A (H3) 10-16 B (Yamagata lineage), B (lineage not determined) 17-19 B (Yamagata lineage), A (H3) 20-28 A (H3) Influenza Situation Update| 2 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 04 August 2015 Countries in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere In most countries within the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, ILI and influenza activity remained at low levels. Outpatient ILI Surveillance China (North) During week 28, ILI% at national sentinel hospitals in north China was 2.6%, higher than the last week and the same weeks of 2011 and 2013 (all 2.5%) and the same for the same week of 2014 (2.7%) (Figure 2). Mongolia In week 30, 2015, ILI activity in Mongolia has increased, however remains within the upper and lower 90% tolerance limits for the country (Figure 3). Republic of Korea In week 30, 2015, the proportion of patients visiting sentinel physicians for ILI was 4.8%, which was higher than last week (4.5%) and below the baseline of 12.2% (Figure 4). China (North) Figure 2: Percentage of visits for ILI at sentinel hospitals, 2010-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Mongolia Figure 3: Proportion of outpatients that were ILI (per 10,000 people), 2013-2015 (Source: Mongolia National Influenza Center) Republic of Korea Figure 4: Weekly proportion of ILI visits per 1,000 patients 2011-2015 (Source: Korean Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) Influenza Situation Update| 3 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 04 August 2015 Hospital influenza surveillance Japan In Japan, the number of influenza cases reported weekly per hospital sentinel site follows the known seasonal trend, with case numbers remaining low (Figure 5). Figure 5: Number of influenza cases reported weekly per sentinel hospital site, Japan 2005-2015 (Source: Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases) Countries/areas in the tropical zone In week 28 of 2015, increased influenza activity was reported in countries/areas in the tropical zone. Outpatient Surveillance Hong Kong (China)- ILI Surveillance In week 30, the average consultation rate for influenza-like illness (ILI) among sentinel general outpatient clinics (GOPCs) was 5.7 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations which was similar to 5.9 recorded in the previous week (Figure 6). The average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel private doctors decreased to 35.3 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations from 48.8 recorded in the previous week (Figure 7). China (South)- ILI Surveillance During week 28, the percentage of outpatient or emergency visits for ILI at national sentinel hospitals in south China was 3.6%, lower than the last week (3.9%) and higher than the same week of 2011–2013 (2.7%, 3.3%, and 3.0%, respectively) (Figure 8). Singapore – ARI Surveillance The average daily number of patients seeking treatment in the polyclinics for ARI increased from 2,318 (over 4.5 working days) in E-week 28 to 2,469 (over 5.5 working days) in E-week 29. (Figure 9). Influenza Situation Update| 4 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 04 August 2015 Hong Kong (China) - ILI Surveillance Figure 6: ILI consultation rates at sentinel general outpatient clinics, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) Figure 7: ILI consultation rates at sentinel private doctors, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) China (South) - ILI Surveillance Figure 8: Percentage of visits due to ILI at national sentinel hospitals in South China, 2010-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Singapore - ARI Surveillance Figure 9: Average daily policlinic attendances for Acute Respiratory Infection, Singapore 2014-2015 (Source: Singapore Ministry of Health) Countries in the temperate zone of the southern hemisphere Influenza activity is increased in most of the reporting countries in the southern hemisphere and surpassed country-specific threshold level for Australia and New Zealand. Australia – Laboratory-confirmed influenza As of 17 July2015, there were 19,075 cases of laboratory confirmed notifications of influenza, with 4,045 notifications reported in the most recent fortnight. In recent weeks, influenza notifications have been increasing, in line with the expected seasonal increase in influenza activity. (Figure 10). Influenza Situation Update| 5 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 04 August 2015 Figure 10: Australian notifications of laboratory confirmed influenza (Source: National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, Australian Department of Health) New Zealand –Influenza like Illness ILI through sentinel surveillance was reported from 17 out of 20 District Health Boards with a national consultation rate of 102.0 per 100, 000 (319 ILI consultations). The current rate of ILI is above the seasonal threshold (Figure 11). Figure 11: Weekly consultation rates for influenza-like illness in New Zealand, 2010–2015 Influenza Situation Update| 6 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 04 August 2015 Pacific Island Countries and Areas (PICs)- ILI Surveillance In the PICs, ILI activity was variable with an increasing trend observed in a number of islands, particularly in Kiribati, Niue, Tokelau and Vanuatu (Figure 12). Figure 12: Weekly consultation rates for influenza-like illness in PICs, 2014–2015 Global influenza situation updates Epidemiological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/2015_07_13_surveillance_update_241 .pdf Virological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/latest_update_GIP_surveillance/en/
Influenza Situation Update| 1 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 22 July 2015 Virological Surveillance Summary In the Western Pacific Region, the following influenza viruses predominated: Countries providing specimens for FluNet reporting from the Western Pacific Region include Australia, China, Fiji, Lao PDR, Mongolia, New Zealand, Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, and Viet Nam. From week 1 to week 26 of 2015, 92.62% of influenza specimens provided to FluNet were from China (n=308, 974), 2.5% from Australia (n=8, 213) and 1.8% from Republic of Korea (n=6,052). Figure 1: Number of specimens positive for influenza by subtype in Western Pacific Region including Australia, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mongolia, New Zealand, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore and Viet Nam (Source: FluNet (www.who.int/flunet) Accessed 20 July 2015) Influenza surveillance summary Influenza surveillance in the WHO Western Pacific Region is based on outpatient and inpatient sentinel surveillance systems. Case definitions, populations under surveillance and data formats differ among these countries. This influenza surveillance summary includes countries where routine surveillance is conducted and information is available from syndromic surveillance systems for Influenza-like-illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI). The WHO surveillance case definition for ILI is an acute respiratory infection with a measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days. For SARI, it is an acute respiratory infection with a history of fever or measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days and requires hospitalization. Week Predominant viruses 1-9 A (H3) 10-16 B (Yamagata lineage), B (lineage not determined) 17-19 B (Yamagata lineage), A (H3) 20-26 A (H3) Influenza Situation Update| 2 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 22 July 2015 Countries in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere In most countries within the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, ILI and influenza activity decreased and remained at low levels. Outpatient ILI Surveillance China (North) During week 27, ILI% at national sentinel hospitals in north China was 2.5%, lower than the last week and the same week of 2011-2014 (2.6%,2.7%,2.7%,2.7% and 2.6%) (Figure 2). Mongolia In week 27, 2015, ILI activity in Mongolia continued to decline following the known seasonal pattern, remaining within the upper and lower 90% tolerance limits for the country (Figure 3). Republic of Korea In week 28, 2015, the proportion of patients visiting sentinel physicians for ILI was 3.2%, which was lower than last week (3.4%) and below the baseline of 12.2% (Figure 4). China (North) Figure 2: Percentage of visits for ILI at sentinel hospitals, 2010-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Mongolia Figure 3: Proportion of outpatients that were ILI (per 10,000 people), 2013-2015 (Source: Mongolia National Influenza Center) Republic of Korea Figure 4: Weekly proportion of ILI visits per 1,000 patients 2011-2015 (Source: Korean Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) Influenza Situation Update| 3 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 22 July 2015 Hospital influenza surveillance Japan In Japan, the number of influenza cases reported weekly per hospital sentinel site follows the known seasonal trend, with case numbers remaining low (Figure 5). Figure 5: Number of influenza cases reported weekly per sentinel hospital site, Japan 2005-2015 (Source: Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases) Countries/areas in the tropical zone In week 28 of 2015, increased influenza activity was reported in countries/areas in the tropical zone. Outpatient Surveillance Hong Kong (China)- ILI Surveillance In week 28, the average consultation rate for influenza-like illness (ILI) among sentinel general outpatient clinics (GOPCs) was 9.4 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations which was similar to 9.2 recorded in the previous week (Figure 6). The average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel private doctors decreased to 40.5 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations from 46.8 recorded in the previous week (Figure 7). China (South)- ILI Surveillance During week 27, the percentage of outpatient or emergency visits for ILI at national sentinel hospitals in south China was 3.9%, lower than the last week (4.1%) and higher than the same week of 2011–2014 (2.8%, 3.2%, 3.2%and 3.5%) (Figure 8). Singapore – ARI Surveillance The average daily number of patients seeking treatment in the polyclinics for ARI increased from 2,319 (over 5.5 working days) in E-week 26 to 2,357 (over 5.5 working days) in E-week 27. (Figure 9). Influenza Situation Update| 4 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 22 July 2015 Hong Kong (China) - ILI Surveillance Figure 6: ILI consultation rates at sentinel general outpatient clinics, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) Figure 7: ILI consultation rates at sentinel private doctors, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) China (South) - ILI Surveillance Figure 8: Percentage of visits due to ILI at national sentinel hospitals in South China, 2010-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Singapore - ARI Surveillance Figure 9: Average daily policlinic attendances for Acute Respiratory Infection, Singapore 2014-2015 (Source: Singapore Ministry of Health) Countries in the temperate zone of the southern hemisphere Influenza activity is increased in most of the reporting countries in the southern hemisphere and surpassed country-specific threshold level for Australia and New Zealand. Australia – Laboratory-confirmed influenza As of 3 July2015, there were 14,567 cases of laboratory confirmed influenza, with 2,700 notifications reported in the most recent fortnight. The annual increase in influenza activity has begun. Influenza notifications are higher compared with the same time in previous years. (Figure 10). Influenza Situation Update| 5 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 22 July 2015 Figure 10: Australian notifications of laboratory confirmed influenza (Source: National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, Australian Department of Health) New Zealand –Influenza like Illness ILI through sentinel surveillance was reported from 17 out of 20 District Health Boards with a national consultation rate of 53.9 per 100, 000 (168 ILI consultations). The current rate of ILI is above the seasonal threshold (Figure 11). Figure 11: Weekly consultation rates for influenza-like illness in New Zealand, 2010–2015 Influenza Situation Update| 6 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 22 July 2015 Pacific Island Countries and Areas (PICs)- ILI Surveillance In the PICs, ILI activity was variable with an increasing trend observed in a number of islands, particularly in Kiribati and Vanuatu (Figure 12). Global influenza situation updates Epidemiological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/2015_06_29_surveillance_update_240 .pdf?ua=1 Virological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/latest_update_GIP_surveillance/en/ Figure 12: Cases of influenza-like illness, diarrhea and prolonged fever by week, Pacific Island Countries and Areas, 2014-2015 (Source the Pacific Syndromic Surveillance Network)
Influenza Situation Update| 1 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 8 July 2015 Virological Surveillance Summary In the Western Pacific Region, the following influenza viruses predominated: Countries providing specimens for FluNet reporting from the Western Pacific Region include Australia, China, Mongolia, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, and Viet Nam. From week 1 to week 25 of 2015, 92.62% of influenza specimens provided to FluNet were from China (n=280, 462), 2.4% from Australia (n=7, 537) and 1.9% from Republic of Korea (n=5,876). Figure 1: Number of specimens positive for influenza by subtype in Western Pacific Region including Australia, Cambodia, China, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore and Viet Nam (Source: FluNet (www.who.int/flunet) Accessed 24 June 2015) Influenza surveillance summary Influenza surveillance in the WHO Western Pacific Region is based on outpatient and inpatient sentinel surveillance systems. Case definitions, populations under surveillance and data formats differ among these countries. This influenza surveillance summary includes countries where routine surveillance is conducted and information is available from syndromic surveillance systems for Influenza-like-illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI). The WHO surveillance case definition for ILI is an acute respiratory infection with a measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days. For SARI, it is an acute respiratory infection with a history of fever or measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days and requires hospitalization. Week Predominant viruses 1-9 A (H3) 10-16 B (Yamagata lineage), B (lineage not determined) 17-19 B (Yamagata lineage), A (H3) 20-22 23-25 A (H3) B (lineage not determined) Influenza Situation Update| 2 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 8 July 2015 Countries in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere In most countries within the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, ILI and influenza activity decreased and remained at low levels. Outpatient ILI Surveillance China (North) During week 25, ILI percentage at national sentinel hospitals in north China was 2.6%, the same as 2011(2.6%), higher than the last week(2.5%) , and the same week of 2013 and 2014 (2.5% and 2.5%), lower than the same week of 2012 (2.8%) (Figure 2). Mongolia In week 26, 2015, ILI activity in Mongolia continued to decline following the known seasonal pattern, remaining within the upper and lower 90% tolerance limits for the country (Figure 3). Republic of Korea In week 26, 2015, the proportion of patients visiting sentinel physicians for ILI was 3.5% which is lower than last week (4.4%) and below the baseline of 12.2% (Figure 4). China (North) Figure 2: Percentage of visits for ILI at sentinel hospitals, 2010-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Mongolia Figure 3: Proportion of outpatients that were ILI (per 10,000 people), 2013-2015 (Source: Mongolia National Influenza Center) Republic of Korea Figure 4: Weekly proportion of ILI visits per 1,000 patients 2011-2015 (Source: Korean Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) Influenza Situation Update| 3 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 8 July 2015 Hospital influenza surveillance Japan In Japan, the number of influenza cases reported weekly per hospital sentinel site follows the known seasonal trend, with case numbers continuing to decrease (Figure 5). Figure 5: Number of influenza cases reported weekly per sentinel hospital site, Japan 2005-2015 (Source: Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases) Countries/areas in the tropical zone In week 26 of 2015, increased influenza activity was reported in countries/areas in the tropical zone. Outpatient Surveillance Hong Kong (China)- ILI Surveillance In week 26, the average consultation rate for influenza-like illness (ILI) among sentinel general outpatient clinics (GOPCs) decreased to 9.8 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations from 11.2 recorded in the previous week (Figure 6). The average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel private doctors decreased to 52.4 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations from 53.0 recorded in the previous week (Figure 7). China (South)- ILI Surveillance During week 25, the percentage of outpatient or emergency visits for ILI at national sentinel hospitals in south China was 4.1%, the same as the last week (4.1%) and higher than the same week of 2011–2014 (2.9%, 3.2%, 3.2%,3.1% and 3.5%) (Figure 8). Singapore – ARI Surveillance The average daily number of patients seeking treatment in the polyclinics for ARI increased from 2,631 (over 5.5 working days) in E-week 24 to 2,651 (over 5.5 working days) in E-week 25 (Figure 9). Influenza Situation Update| 4 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 8 July 2015 Hong Kong (China) - ILI Surveillance Figure 6: ILI consultation rates at sentinel general outpatient clinics, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) Figure 7: ILI consultation rates at sentinel private doctors, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) China (South) - ILI Surveillance Figure 8: Percentage of visits due to ILI at national sentinel hospitals in South China, 2010-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Singapore - ARI Surveillance Figure 9: Average daily policlinic attendances for Acute Respiratory Infection, Singapore 2014-2015 (Source: Singapore Ministry of Health) Countries in the temperate zone of the southern hemisphere Influenza activity is increased but remained at low levels in most of the reporting countries in the southern hemisphere. Australia – Laboratory-confirmed influenza As of 19 June2015, there were 11,585 cases of laboratory confirmed influenza, with 1,795 notifications reported in the most recent fortnight. While influenza notifications are higher than at this point last year, they are still at low levels (Figure 10). Influenza Situation Update| 5 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 8 July 2015 Figure 10: Australian notifications of laboratory confirmed influenza (Source: National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, Australian Department of Health) New Zealand –Influenza like Illness ILI through sentinel surveillance was reported from 18 out of 20 District Health Boards with a national consultation rate of 25.5 per 100 000 (78 ILI consultations). This is below the seasonal threshold (Figure 11). Figure 11: Weekly consultation rates for influenza-like illness in New Zealand, 2010–2015 Influenza Situation Update| 6 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 8 July 2015 Pacific Island Countries and Areas (PICs)- ILI Surveillance In the PICs, ILI activity was variable with an increasing trend observed in a number of islands, particularly in American Samoa and Kiribati (Figure 12). Global influenza situation updates Epidemiological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/2015_06_29_surveillance_update_240 .pdf?ua=1 Virological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/latest_update_GIP_surveillance/en/ Figure 12: Cases of influenza-like illness, diarrhea and prolonged fever by week, Pacific Island Countries and Areas, 2014-2015 (Source the Pacific Syndromic Surveillance Network)
Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 24 June 2015 Virological Surveillance Summary In the Western Pacific Region, the following influenza viruses were predominated: Countries currently providing specimens for FluNet reporting from the Western Pacific Region include Australia, China, Mongolia, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, and Viet Nam. From week 1 to week 23 of 2015, 93.3% of influenza specimens provided to FluNet were from China (n=274,713), 2.1% from Australia (n=6,127) and 1.8% from Republic of Korea (n=5,352). Figure 1: Number of specimens positive for influenza by subtype in Western Pacific Region including Australia, Cambodia, China, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore and Viet Nam (Source: FluNet (www.who.int/flunet) Accessed 24 June 2015) Influenza surveillance summary Influenza surveillance in the WHO Western Pacific Region is based on outpatient and inpatient sentinel surveillance systems. Case definitions, populations under surveillance and data formats differ among these countries. This influenza surveillance summary includes countries where routine surveillance is conducted and information is available from syndromic surveillance systems for Influenza-like-illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI). The WHO surveillance case definition for ILI is an acute respiratory infection with a measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days. For SARI, it is an acute respiratory infection with a history of fever or measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days and requires hospitalization. Week Predominant viruses 1-9 A (H3) 10-16 B (Yamagata lineage), B (lineage not determined) 17-19 B (Yamagata lineage), A (H3) 20-22 A (H3) Influenza Situation Update| 2 Countries in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere In most countries within the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, ILI and influenza activity reporting followed seasonal patterns. Outpatient ILI Surveillance China (North) During week 24, ILI% at national sentinel hospitals in north China was 2.6%, higher than the last week (2.5%), and the same week of 2011 (2.5%) and 2014 (2.5%), but lower than the same week of 2012 (2.7%) and 2013(2.9%) (Figure 2). Mongolia In week 24, 2015, ILI activity in Mongolia continued to decline following the known seasonal pattern, remaining within the upper and lower 90% tolerance limits for the country (Figure 3). Republic of Korea In week 24, 2015, the proportion of patients visiting sentinel physicians for ILI was 5.1% which is lower than last week (5.8%) and below the baseline of 12.2% (Figure 4). China (North) Figure 2: Percentage of visits for ILI at sentinel hospitals, 2010-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Mongolia Figure 3: Proportion of outpatients that were ILI (per 10,000 people), 2013-2015 (Source: Mongolia National Influenza Center) Republic of Korea Figure 4: Weekly proportion of ILI visits per 1,000 patients 2011-2015 (Source: Korean Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) Influenza Situation Update| 3 Hospital influenza surveillance Japan In Japan, the number of influenza cases reported weekly per hospital sentinel site is following the known seasonal trend, with case numbers continuing to decrease (Figure 5). Figure 5: Number of influenza cases reported weekly per sentinel hospital site, Japan 2005-2015 (Source: Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases) Countries/areas in the tropical zone In week 24 of 2015, the overall ILI and SARI activity increased in countries/areas in the tropical zone, following previously seen seasonal patterns. Outpatient Surveillance Hong Kong (China)- ILI Surveillance In week 24, the average consultation rate for influenza-like illness among sentinel general outpatient clinics increased to 10.9 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations from 6.2 recorded in the previous week (Figure 6). The average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel private doctors increased to 58.7 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations from 45.8 recorded in the previous week (Figure 7). China (South)- ILI Surveillance During week 24, the percentage of outpatient or emergency visits for ILI at national sentinel hospitals in south China was 4.1%, the same as the last week (4.1%) and higher than the same week of 2011–2014 (2.7%, 3.2%, 3.3% and 3.5%), (Figure 8). Singapore – ARI Surveillance The average daily number of patients seeking treatment in the polyclinics for ARI increased from 2,844 (over 4.5 working days) in E-week 22 to 2,637 (over 5.5 working days) in E-week 23 (Figure 9). Hong Kong (China) - ILI Surveillance Figure 6: ILI consultation rates at sentinel general outpatient clinics, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) Figure 7: ILI consultation rates at sentinel private doctors, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) Influenza Situation Update| 4 China (South) - ILI Surveillance Figure 8: Percentage of visits due to ILI at national sentinel hospitals in South China, 2010-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Singapore - ARI Surveillance Figure 9: Average daily policlinic attendances for Acute Respiratory Infection, Singapore 2014-2015 (Source: Singapore Ministry of Health) Countries in the temperate zone of the southern hemisphere Influenza activity remained at inter-seasonal levels in most of the reporting countries in the southern hemisphere. Australia – Laboratory-confirmed influenza As of 5 June2015 there were 9,449 cases of laboratory confirmed influenza reported, with 1,013 notifications reported in the most recent fortnight. While influenza notifications are higher than at this point last year, they are still at low levels (Figure 10). Figure 10: Australian notifications of laboratory confirmed influenza (Source: National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, Australian Department of Health) Influenza Situation Update| 5 New Zealand –Influenza like Illness ILI through sentinel surveillance was reported from 18 out of 20 District Health Boards with a national consultation rate of 16.5 per 100 000 (52 ILI consultations). This is below the seasonal threshold (Figure 11). Figure 11: Weekly consultation rates for influenza-like illness in New Zealand, 2010–2015 Pacific Island Countries and Areas (PICs)- ILI Surveillance In the PICs, ILI activity was variable with an increasing trend observed in a number of islands, particularly in American Samoa and Tonga (Figure 12). Figure 12: Cases of influenza-like illness, diarrhea and prolonged fever by week, Pacific Island Countries and Areas, 2014-2015 (Source the Pacific Syndromic Surveillance Network) Influenza Situation Update| 6 Global influenza situation updates Epidemiological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/2015_06_01_surveillance_update_238.pdf?u a=1 Virological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/latest_update_GIP_surveillance/en/
Influenza Situation Update| 1 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 26 May 2015 Virological Surveillance Summary In the Western Pacific Region, from week 1 to week 9 of 2015, Influenza A(H3) predominated, while from week 10 to week 16 of 2015, Influenza B (lineage not determined) and Influenza B (Yamagata lineage) viruses and from week 17 to week 19 of 2015 Influenza B (lineage not determined) predominated (Figure 1). Countries currently providing specimens for FluNet reporting from the Western Pacific Region include Australia, China, Mongolia, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, and Viet Nam. From week 1 to week 19 of 2015, 93.3% of influenza specimens provided to FluNet were from China (n=214,701), 2.0% from Republic of Korea (n=4,689) and 2.1% from Australia (n=4,881). Figure 1: Number of specimens positive for influenza by subtype in Western Pacific Region including Australia, Cambodia, China, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore and Viet Nam (Source: FluNet (www.who.int/flunet) Accessed 25 May 2015) Influenza surveillance summary Influenza surveillance in the WHO Western Pacific Region is based on outpatient and inpatient sentinel surveillance systems. Case definitions, populations under surveillance and data formats differ among these countries. This influenza surveillance summary includes countries where routine surveillance is conducted and information is available from syndromic surveillance systems for Influenza-like-illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI). The WHO surveillance case definition for ILI is an acute respiratory infection with a measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days. For SARI, it is an acute respiratory infection with a history of fever or measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days and requires hospitalization. Influenza Situation Update| 2 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 26 May 2015 Countries in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere In most countries within the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, ILI and influenza activity reporting followed seasonal patterns. Outpatient ILI Surveillance China (North) During week 20, ILI% at national sentinel hospitals in north China was 2.4%, higher than the last week and the same week of 2011(2.3% and 2.3%), lower than the same week of 2012–2014 (2.6, 2.8% and 2.5%) (Figure 2). Mongolia In week 19, 2015, ILI activity in Mongolia continued to follow the known seasonal pattern, remaining within the upper and lower 90% tolerance limits for the country (Figure 3). Republic of Korea In week 20, 2015, the proportion of patients visiting sentinel physicians for ILI was 6.6% which is below the baseline of 12.2% (Figure 4). China (North) Figure 2: Percentage of visits for ILI at sentinel hospitals, 2010-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Mongolia Figure 3: Proportion of outpatients that were ILI (per 10,000 people), 2013-2015(Source: Mongolia National Influenza Center) Republic of Korea Figure 4: Weekly proportion of ILI visits per 1,000 patients 2011-2015 (Source: Korean Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) Influenza Situation Update| 3 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 26 May 2015 Hospital influenza surveillance Japan In Japan, the number of influenza cases reported weekly per hospital sentinel site is following the known seasonal trend, with case numbers continuing to decrease (Figure 5). Figure 5: Number of influenza cases reported weekly per sentinel hospital site, Japan 2005-2015 (Source: Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases) Countries/areas in the tropical zone In week 19 of 2015, the overall ILI and SARI activity decreased in countries/areas in the tropical zone, following previously seen seasonal patterns. Outpatient Surveillance Hong Kong (China)- ILI Surveillance In week 20, the average consultation rate for influenza-like illness (ILI) among sentinel general outpatient clinics increased to 4.7 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations from 4.1 recorded in the previous week (Figure 6). The average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel private doctors was 43.1 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations, which was similar to 43.3 recorded in the previous week (Figure 7). China (South)- ILI Surveillance During week 20, the percentage of outpatient or emergency visits for ILI (ILI %) at national sentinel hospitals in south China was 3.1%, higher than the last week and the same week of 2011(2.9% and 2.8%), lower than the same week of 2012 (3.2%), and same as the same week of 2013–2014 (3.1% and 3.1%) (Figure 8). Influenza Situation Update| 4 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 26 May 2015 Singapore – ARI Surveillance The average daily number of patients seeking treatment in the polyclinics for ARI decreased from 2,882 (over 5.5 working days) in E-week 18 to 2,757 (over 5.5 working days) in E-week 19 (Figure 9). Hong Kong (China) - ILI Surveillance Figure 6: ILI consultation rates at sentinel general outpatient clinics, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) Figure 7: ILI consultation rates at sentinel private doctors, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) China (South) - ILI Surveillance Figure 8: Percentage of visits due to ILI at national sentinel hospitals in South China, 2010-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Singapore - ARI Surveillance Figure 9: Average daily policlinic attendances for Acute Respiratory Infection, Singapore 2014-2015 (Source: Singapore Ministry of Health) Influenza Situation Update| 5 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 26 May 2015 Countries in the temperate zone of the southern hemisphere Influenza activity remained at inter-seasonal levels in most of the reporting countries in the southern hemisphere Australia – Laboratory-confirmed influenza For week ending 8 May 2015, ILI activity in the inter‐seasonal period for influenza, with overall influenza activity at low levels (Figure 10). Figure 10: Australian notifications of laboratory confirmed influenza Source: National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, Australian Department of Health New Zealand –Influenza like Illness ILI through sentinel surveillance was reported from 17 out of 20 District Health Boards (DHB) with a national consultation rate of 15.4 per 100 000 (46 ILI consultations) which is below the seasonal threshold (Figure 11). Figure 11: Weekly consultation rates for influenza-like illness in New Zealand, 2010–2015 Influenza Situation Update| 6 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 26 May 2015 Pacific Island Countries and Areas (PICs)- ILI Surveillance In the PICs, ILI activity was variable with an increasing trend observed in a number of islands, particularly in Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Wallis & Futuna and Vanuatu (Figure 12). Figure 12: Cases of influenza-like illness, diarrhea and prolonged fever by week, Pacific Island Countries and Areas, 2014-2015 (Source the Pacific Syndromic Surveillance Network) Global influenza situation updates: Epidemiological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/2015_05_18_surveillance_update_237 .pdf?ua=1 Virological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/gisrs_laboratory/updates/summaryreport/en/
Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 12 May 2015 Virological Surveillance Summary In the Western Pacific Region, from week 1 to week 9 of 2015, Influenza A(H3) predominated, while from week 10 to week 17 of 2015, Influenza B (lineage not determined) and Influenza B (Yamagata lineage) viruses predominated (Figure 1). Countries currently providing specimens for FluNet reporting from the Western Pacific Region include Australia, China, Mongolia, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, and Viet Nam. From week 1 to week 17 of 2015, 94.1% of influenza specimens provided to FluNet were from China (n=214,701), 1.9% from Republic of Korea (n=4,248) and 1.8% from Australia (n=4,215). Figure 1: Number of specimens positive for influenza by subtype in Western Pacific Region including Australia, Cambodia, China, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore and Viet Nam (Source: FluNet (www.who.int/flunet) Accessed 11May 2015) Influenza surveillance summary Influenza surveillance in the WHO Western Pacific Region is based on outpatient and inpatient sentinel surveillance systems. Case definitions, populations under surveillance and data formats differ among these countries. This influenza surveillance summary includes countries where routine surveillance is conducted and information is available from syndromic surveillance systems for Influenza-like-illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI). The WHO surveillance case definition for ILI is an acute respiratory infection with a measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days. For SARI, it is an acute respiratory infection with a history of fever or measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days and requires hospitalization. Influenza Situation Update| 2 Countries in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere In most countries within the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, ILI and influenza activity reporting followed seasonal patterns. Outpatient ILI Surveillance China (North) During week 17, ILI at national sentinel hospitals in north China was 2.4%, higher than the last week and the same week of 2011 (2.3% and 2.3% ), lower than the same week of 2012-2014(2.5%, 3.0% and 2.5%)(Figure 2). Mongolia In week 18, 2015, ILI activity in Mongolia continued to follow the known seasonal pattern, remaining within the upper and lower 90% tolerance limits for the country ( Figure 3). Republic of Korea (no update) In week 16, 2015, the proportion of patients visiting sentinel physicians for ILI was 18.7% it remained above the baseline of 12.2% (Figure 4). China (North) Figure 2: Percentage of visits for ILI at sentinel hospitals, 2010-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Mongolia Figure 3: Proportion of outpatients that were ILI (per 10,000 people), 2013-2015(Source: Mongolia National Influenza Center) Republic of Korea Figure 4: Weekly proportion of ILI visits per 1,000 patients 2011-2015 (Source: Korean Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) Influenza Situation Update| 3 Hospital influenza surveillance Japan In Japan, the number of influenza cases reported weekly per hospital sentinel site is following the known seasonal trend, with case numbers continuing to decrease (Figure 5). Figure 5: Number of influenza cases reported weekly per sentinel hospital site, Japan 2005-2015 (Source: Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases) Countries/areas in the tropical zone In week 17 of 2015, the overall ILI and SARI activity decreased in countries/areas in the tropical zone, following previously seen seasonal patterns. Outpatient Surveillance Hong Kong (China)- ILI Surveillance In week 18, the average consultation rate for influenza-like illness (ILI) among sentinel general outpatient clinics decreased to 2.9 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations from 4.4 recorded in the previous week (Figure 6). The average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel private doctors was 42.2 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations, which was lower than to 46.9 recorded in the previous week (Figure 7). China (South)- ILI Surveillance During week 17, the percentage of outpatient or emergency visits for ILI at national sentinel hospitals in south China was 2.9%, the same as last and same week of 2012 (2.9%), higher than same week of 2011(2.7%), lower than the same week of 2013 and 2014 (3.1% and 3.1%) (Figure 8). Influenza Situation Update| 4 Singapore – ARI Surveillance The average daily number of patients seeking treatment in the polyclinics for acute respiratory infections increased from 2,534 (over 5.5 working days) in week 16 to 2,645 (over 4.5 working days) in week 17 (Figure 9). Hong Kong (China) - ILI Surveillance Figure 6: ILI consultation rates at sentinel general outpatient clinics, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) Figure 7: ILI consultation rates at sentinel private doctors, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) China (South) - ILI Surveillance Figure 8: Percentage of visits due to ILI at national sentinel hospitals in South China, 2010-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Singapore - ARI Surveillance Figure 9: Average daily policlinic attendances for Acute Respiratory Infection, Singapore 2014-2015 (Source: Singapore Ministry of Health) Influenza Situation Update| 5 Countries in the temperate zone of the southern hemisphere Influenza activity remained at inter-seasonal levels in most of the reporting countries in the southern hemisphere. In New Zealand, the influenza season has ended. Reporting in the Influenza Situation Update will commence during the beginning of the next influenza season. Australia – Laboratory-confirmed influenza For week ending 24 April 2015, ILI activity in the inter-seasonal period for influenza, with overall influenza activity at low levels (Figure 10). Figure 10: Australian notifications of laboratory confirmed influenza Source: National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, Australian Department of Health Influenza Situation Update| 6 Pacific Island Countries and Areas (PICs)- ILI Surveillance In the PICs, ILI activity was variable with an increasing trend observed in a number of islands, particularly in American Samoa and Wallis & Futuna and Vanuatu (Figure 11). Figure 11: Cases of influenza-like illness, diarrhea and prolonged fever by week, Pacific Island Countries and Areas, 2014-2015 (Source the Pacific Syndromic Surveillance Network) Global influenza situation updates: Epidemiological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/2015_04_21_surveillance_update_235_cop yc.pdf?ua=1 Virological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/gisrs_laboratory/updates/summaryreport
Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 28 April 2015 Virological Surveillance Summary In the Western Pacific Region, from week 1 to week 8 of 2015, Influenza A(H3) predominated, while from week 9 to week 15 of 2015, Influenza B (lineage not determined) and Influenza B (Yamagata lineage) viruses predominated (Figure 1). Countries currently providing virological data from the Western Pacific Region include Australia, China, Mongolia, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, and Viet Nam. From week 1 to week 15 of 2015, 93.5% of influenza specimens provided to FluNet were from China (n=168,827), 2.0% from Republic of Korea (n=3,749) and 1.9% from Australia (n=3,488). Figure 1: Number of specimens positive for influenza by subtype in Western Pacific Region including Australia, Cambodia, China, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore and Viet Nam (Source: FluNet (www.who.int/flunet) Accessed 20 April 2015) Influenza surveillance summary Influenza surveillance in the WHO Western Pacific Region is based on outpatient and inpatient sentinel surveillance systems. Case definitions, populations under surveillance and data formats differ among these countries. This influenza surveillance summary includes countries where routine surveillance is conducted and information is available from syndromic surveillance systems for Influenza-like-illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI). The WHO surveillance case definition for ILI is an acute respiratory infection with a measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days. For SARI, it is an acute respiratory infection with a history of fever or measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days and requires hospitalization. Influenza Situation Update| 2 Countries in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere In most countries within the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, ILI and influenza activity reporting followed seasonal patterns. Outpatient ILI Surveillance China (North) During week 15, ILI at national sentinel hospitals in north China was 2.5%, lower than the last week (2.7%) and the same week of 2012-2014 (2.7%, 2.8% and 2.7%), higher than the same week of 2011(2.2%) (Figure 2). Mongolia In week 16, 2015, ILI activity in Mongolia continued to follow the known seasonal pattern, remaining within the upper and lower 90% tolerance limits for the country ( Figure 3). Republic of Korea In week 16, 2015, the proportion of patients visiting sentinel physicians for ILI was 18.7% it remained above the baseline of 12.2% (Figure 4). China (North) Figure 2: Percentage of visits for ILI at sentinel hospitals, 2010-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Mongolia Figure 3: Proportion of outpatients that were ILI (per 10,000 people), 2013-2015(Source: Mongolia National Influenza Center) Republic of Korea Figure 4: Weekly proportion of ILI visits per 1,000 patients 2011-2015 (Source: Korean Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) Influenza Situation Update| 3 Hospital influenza surveillance Japan In Japan, the number of influenza cases reported weekly per hospital sentinel site is following the known seasonal trend, with case numbers continuing to decrease (Figure 5). Figure 5: Number of influenza cases reported weekly per sentinel hospital site, Japan 2005-2015 (Source: Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases) Countries/areas in the tropical zone In week 16 of 2015, the overall ILI and SARI activity decreased in countries/areas in the tropical zone, following previously seen seasonal patterns. Outpatient Surveillance Hong Kong (China)- ILI Surveillance In week 16, the average consultation rate for influenza-like illness (ILI) among sentinel general outpatient clinics increased to 4.1 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations from 3.2 recorded in the previous week (Figure 6). The average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel private doctors was 41.4 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations, which was similar to 41.6 recorded in the previous week (Figure 7). China (South)- ILI Surveillance During week 15, the percentage of outpatient or emergency visits for ILI at national sentinel hospitals in south China was 2.8%, lower than the last week (3.0%) and the same week of 2012-2014(3.0%, 3.3% and 3.1%), higher than the same week of 2011(2.7%)(Figure 8). Influenza Situation Update| 4 Singapore – ARI Surveillance The average daily number of patients seeking treatment in the polyclinics for acute respiratory infections increased from 2,366 (over 5.5 working days) in week 14 to 2,469 (over 5.5 working days) in week 15 (Figure 9). Figure 6: ILI consultation rates at sentinel general outpatient clinics, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) Hong Kong (China) - ILI Surveillance Figure 7: ILI consultation rates at sentinel private doctors, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) China (South) - ILI Surveillance Figure 8: Percentage of visits due to ILI at national sentinel hospitals in South China, 2010-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Singapore - ARI Surveillance Figure 9: Average daily policlinic attendances for Acute Respiratory Infection, Singapore 2014-2015 (Source: Singapore Ministry of Health) Countries in the temperate zone of the southern hemisphere Influenza activity remained at inter-seasonal levels in most of the reporting countries in the southern hemisphere. In New Zealand, the influenza season has ended. Reporting in the Influenza Situation Update will commence during the beginning of the next influenza season. Influenza Situation Update| 5 Australia – Laboratory-confirmed influenza For week ending 10 April 2015, ILI activity in the inter-seasonal period for influenza, with overall influenza activity at low levels but showing some increase (Figure 10) Figure 10: Australian notifications of laboratory confirmed influenza Source: National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, Australian Department of Health Pacific Island Countries and Areas (PICs)- ILI Surveillance In the PICs, ILI activity was variable with an increasing trend observed in a number of islands, particularly in American Samoa and Tonga (Figure 11). Figure 6: Cases of influenza-like illness, diarrhea and prolonged fever by week, Pacific Island Countries and Areas, 2014-2015 (Source the Pacific Syndromic Surveillance Network) Influenza Situation Update| 6 Global influenza situation updates: Epidemiological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/2015_04_21_surveillance_update_235_copy c.pdf?ua=1 Virological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/gisrs_laboratory/updates/summaryreport
Influenza Situation Update| 1 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 14 April 2015 Virological Surveillance Summary In weeks 12 and 13 of 2015, Influenza B (Yamagata line age), Influenza A(H3) and Influenza B (lineage not determined) viruses predominated in the Western Pacific Region (Figure 1). Countries currently providing virological data from the Western Pacific Region include Australia, China, Mongolia, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, and Viet Nam. From week 1 to week 13 of 2015, 94% of influenza specimens provided to FluNet were from China (n=168,827), 1.8% from Republic of Korea (n=3,226) and 1.7% from Australia (n=2,995). Figure 1: Number of specimens positive for influenza by subtype in Western Pacific Region including Australia, Cambodia, China, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore and Viet Nam (Source: FluNet, Accessed 16 March 2015) Influenza surveillance summary Influenza surveillance in the WHO Western Pacific Region is based on outpatient and inpatient sentinel surveillance systems. Case definitions, populations under surveillance and data formats differ among these countries. This influenza surveillance summary includes countries where routine surveillance is conducted and information is available from syndromic surveillance systems for Influenza-like-illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI). The WHO surveillance case definition for ILI is an acute respiratory infection with a measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days. For SARI, it is an acute respiratory infection with a history of fever or measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days and requires hospitalization. Influenza Situation Update| 2 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 14 April 2015 Countries in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere In most countries within the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, ILI and influenza activity reporting followed seasonal patterns. ILI activity in the Republic of Korea has increased, displaying a different trend to the seasonal patterns seen in previous years. Outpatient ILI Surveillance China (North) During week 13 2015, the proportion of ILI cases among all consultations at national sentinel hospitals in north China was 2.6%, lower than the previous week (2.7%) and the same week of 2012 and 2014 (2.8% and 2.9% respectively), similar to the same week of 2013 (2.6%) but higher than the same week of 2011 (2.2%) (Figure 2). Mongolia In week 13, 2015, ILI activity in Mongolia continued to follow the known seasonal pattern, remaining within the upper and lower 90% tolerance limits for the country (Figure 3). Republic of Korea In week 14, 2015, the proportion of patients visiting sentinel physicians for ILI was 31.7%.This is higher than the previous week (31.1%) but is lower than the seasonal peak in week 7 of 42% (Figure 4). China (North) Figure 2: Percentage of visits for ILI at sentinel hospitals, 2010-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Mongolia Figure 3: Proportion of outpatients that were ILI (per 10,000 people), 2013-2015(Source: Mongolia National Influenza Center) Republic of Korea Figure 4: Weekly proportion of ILI visits per 1,000 patients 2011-2015 (Source: Korean Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) Influenza Situation Update| 3 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 14 April 2015 Hospital influenza surveillance Japan In Japan, the number of influenza cases reported weekly per hospital sentinel site is following the known seasonal trend, with case numbers continuing to decrease (Figure 5). Figure 5: Number of influenza cases reported weekly per sentinel hospital site, Japan 2005-2015 (Source: Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases) Countries/areas in the tropical zone In week 12 of 2015, the overall ILI and SARI activity decreased in countries/areas in the tropical zone, following previously seen seasonal patterns. Outpatient Surveillance Hong Kong (China)- ILI Surveillance The overall ILI activity in Hong Kong continued to decrease during week 13 and 14 of 2015, but is still above the baseline. In week 14, the average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel general outpatient clinics decreased to 4.8 per 1,000 consultations as compared to 5.2 recorded in the previous week. In week 14, the average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel private doctors increased to 41.5 per 1,000 consultations from 40.1 recorded in the previous week (Figure 6). China (South)- ILI Surveillance During week 13 of 2015, the percentage of outpatient or emergency visits for ILI at national sentinel hospitals in south China was 2.8 %, same as the last week (2.8%) and higher than the same week in 2011 and 2013 (2.6%, and 2.4% respectively), but lower than the same week in 2012 and 2014 (3.2%,and 3.1% respectively)(Figure 8). Influenza Situation Update| 4 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 14 April 2015 Singapore – ARI Surveillance The average daily number of patients seeking treatment in the polyclinics for acute respiratory infections decreased from 2,401 (over 5.5 working days) in week 12 to 2,341 (over 4.5 working days) in week 13 of 2015 (Figure 9). Hong Kong (China) - ILI Surveillance Figure 6: ILI consultation rates at sentinel general outpatient clinics, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) Hong Kong (China) - ILI Surveillance Figure 7: ILI consultation rates at sentinel private doctors, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) China (South) - ILI Surveillance Figure 8: Percentage of visits due to ILI at national sentinel hospitals in South China, 2010-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Singapore - ARI Surveillance Figure 9: Average daily policlinic attendances for Acute Respiratory Infection, Singapore 2014-2015 (Source: Singapore Ministry of Health) Influenza Situation Update| 5 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 14 April 2015 Countries in the temperate zone of the southern hemisphere In New Zealand, the influenza season has ended. Reporting in the Influenza Situation Update will commence during the beginning of the next influenza season. Australia – Laboratory-confirmed influenza For week ending 27 March 2015, ILI activity is in the inter-seasonal period with low levels of influenza activity (Figure 10). Figure 10: Australian notifications of laboratory confirmed influenza Source: National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, Australian Department of Health Pacific Island Countries and Areas (PICs)- ILI Surveillance In the PICs, ILI activity was variable with an increasing trend observed in a number of islands, particularly in American Samoa and Tonga (Figure 11). Influenza Situation Update| 6 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 14 April 2015 Figure 11: Cases of influenza-like illness, diarrhoea and prolonged fever by week, Pacific Island Countries and Areas, 2014-2015 (Source the Pacific Syndromic Surveillance Network) Global influenza situation updates: Epidemiological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/latest_update_GIP_surveillance/ Virological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/gisrs_laboratory/updates/summaryreport
Influenza Situation Update| 1 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 31 March 2015 Virological Surveillance Summary In weeks 10 and 11 2015, Influenza A(H3) and influenza B (lineage not determined) viruses predominated in the Western Pacific Region (Figure 1). Countries currently providing virological data from the Western Pacific Region include Australia, Cambodia, China, Japan, Lao, Mongolia, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore and Viet Nam. During weeks 1 to 9 of 2015, 95% of influenza specimens were from China (n=129,399). For weeks 10 to 12 of 2015, 30% of specimens were from Singapore (n=536) and 28% from Australia (n=505). Figure 1: Number of specimens positive for influenza by subtype in Western Pacific Region including Australia, Cambodia, China, New Caledonia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Viet Nam (Source: FluNet, Accessed 16 March 2015) Influenza surveillance summary Influenza surveillance in the WHO Western Pacific Region is based on outpatient and inpatient sentinel surveillance systems. Case definitions, populations under surveillance and data formats differ among these countries. This influenza surveillance summary includes countries where routine surveillance is conducted and information is available from syndromic surveillance systems for Influenza-like-illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI). The WHO surveillance case definition for ILI is an acute respiratory infection with a measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days. For SARI, it is an acute respiratory infection with a history of fever or measured fever of ≥ 38 C° and cough, with symptom onset within the last 10 days and requires hospitalization. Influenza Situation Update| 2 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 31 March 2015 Countries in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere In countries within the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, ILI activity in most reporting followed seasonal patterns. ILI activity in the Republic of Korea has increased, displaying a different trend to the seasonal patterns seen in previous years. Outpatient ILI Surveillance China (North) During week 12 2015, the proportion of ILI cases among all consultations at national sentinel hospitals in north China was 2.7%, higher than the previous week and the same week of 2011 and 2013 (2.6%, 2.3% and 2.6% respectively), but lower than the same week in 2012 (3%) and 2014 (3%) (Figure 2). Mongolia In week 12, 2015, ILI activity in Mongolia continued to follow the known seasonal pattern, remaining within the upper and lower 90% tolerance limits for the country (Figure 3). Republic of Korea In week 12, 2015, the proportion of patients visiting sentinel physicians for ILI was 36%.This is higher than the previous week (week 11, 30%) but is lower than the seasonal peak in week 7 of 42% (Figure 4). China (North) Figure 2: Percentage of visits for ILI at sentinel hospitals, 2010-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Mongolia Figure 3: Proportion of outpatients that were ILI (per 10,000 people), 2013-2015(Source: Mongolia National Influenza Center) Republic of Korea Figure 4: Weekly proportion of ILI visits per 1,000 patients 2011-2015 (Source: Korean Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) Influenza Situation Update| 3 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 31 March 2015 Hospital influenza surveillance Japan In Japan, the number of influenza cases reported weekly per hospital sentinel site is following the known seasonal trend, with case numbers continuing to decrease (Figure 5). Figure 5: Number of influenza cases reported weekly per sentinel hospital site, Japan 2005-2015 (Source: Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases) Countries/areas in the tropical zone In week 12 of 2015, the overall ILI and SARI activity decreased in countries/areas in the tropical zone, following previously seen seasonal patterns. Outpatient ILI Surveillance Hong Kong (China) The overall ILI activity in Hong Kong continued to decrease during week 11 and 12 of 2015, but is still above the baseline. In week 11, the average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel general outpatient clinics decreased to 4.5 per 1,000 consultations. In week 12, rates increased to 5.7 per 1,000 consultations (Figure 6). In weeks 11 and 12 of 2015, the average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel private doctors decreased to 38.6 and 34.8 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations respectively (Figure 7). China (South) During week 12 of 2015, the percentage of outpatient or emergency visits for ILI at national sentinel hospitals in south China was 2.7 %, higher than the previous week and the same reporting week in 2011 and 2013 (2.5%, 2.5% and 2.5% respectively), but lower than the same week in 2012 and 2014 (3.2%,and 3% respectively)(Figure 8). Influenza Situation Update| 4 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 31 March 2015 Hong Kong (China) Figure 6: ILI consultation rates at sentinel general outpatient clinics, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) Hong Kong (China) Figure 7: ILI consultation rates at sentinel private doctors, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) China (South) Figure 8: Percentage of visits due to ILI at national sentinel hospitals in South China, 2010-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Outpatient ARI surveillance Singapore The average daily number of patients seeking treatment in the polyclinics for acute respiratory infections decreased from 2,513 (over 5.5 working days) in week 10 to 2,288 (over 5.5 working days) in week 11 of 2015 (Figure 9). Influenza Situation Update| 5 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 31 March 2015 Figure 9: Average daily policlinic attendances for Acute Respiratory Infection, Singapore 2014-2015 (Source: Singapore Ministry of Health) Countries in the temperate zone of the southern hemisphere In Australia and New Zealand, the influenza season has ended. Reporting from these Member States in the Influenza Situation Update will commence during the beginning of the next influenza season. Pacific Island Countries and Areas (PICs) In the PICs, ILI activity was variable with an increasing trend observed in a number of islands, particularly in French Polynesia, Tonga, and Tuvalu (Figure 10). Figure 10: Cases of influenza-like illness, diarrhoea and prolonged fever by week, Pacific Island Countries and Areas 2014- 2015 (Source the Pacific Syndromic Surveillance Network) Influenza Situation Update| 6 Bi-weekly Influenza Situation Update 31 March 2015 Global influenza situation updates: Epidemiological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/latest_update_GIP_surveillance/ Virological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/gisrs_laboratory/updates/summaryreport
Influenza Situation Update| 1 Influenza Situation Update 17 March 2015 Influenza surveillance summary This influenza surveillance summary includes countries where routine surveillance is conducted and information is available. Countries in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere In countries within the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) activity followed seasonal patterns. Influenza activity displayed a decreasing trend in China, Japan and Mongolia. China (North) During week 9, 2015, the proportion of ILI cases among all consultations at national sentinel hospitals in north China was 3%, less than the last week and the same week of 2012 (4% and 3% respectively) (Figure 1). Figure 1: Percentage of visits for ILI at sentinel hospitals in north China, 2010-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Japan In Japan, the number of influenza cases reported weekly per hospital sentinel site is following the known seasonal trend, with case numbers continuing to decrease (Figure 2). Figure 2: Number of influenza cases reported weekly per sentinel hospital site, Japan 2005-2015 (Source: Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases) Influenza Situation Update| 2 Influenza Situation Update 17 March 2015 Mongolia In week 10, 2015, ILI activity in Mongolia followed the seasonal pattern (Figure 3). The proportion of patients hospitalized with pneumonia continued to decrease (Figure 4). Figure 3: Rate of outpatients reported with ILI, Mongolia 2013-2015 (Source: National Influenza Center of Mongolia) Figure 4: Proportion of patients with pneumonia among hospitalized, Mongolia 2013-2015 (Source: National Influenza Center of Mongolia) Influenza Situation Update| 3 Influenza Situation Update 17 March 2015 Republic of Korea For week 10, 2015, the overall proportion of patients who visited sentinel physicians for influenza like illness (ILI) was 27%. Although this proportion is above the baseline of 12%, the rate of ILI visits to GP sentinel sites is decreasing (Figure 5). Figure 5: The weekly rate of ILI visits, Republic of Korea 2011-2015 (Source: Korean Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) Countries/areas in the tropical zone In countries/areas in the tropical zone, the overall ILI or ARI activity was variable. In week 10, 2015, ILI activity in Hong Kong and South China decreased, following the seasonal trends seen in previous years. The ARI activity in Singapore followed seasonal patterns, displaying similar trends as the same period of last year. China (South) During week 10, 2015, the percentage of outpatient or emergency visits for ILI at national sentinel hospitals in south China was 3%, lower than week 9, 2015 and the same week in 2012 and 2014 (4%, 3% and 3% respectively) (Figure 6). Figure 6: Percentage of visits due to ILI at national sentinel hospitals in south China, 2010-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Influenza Situation Update| 4 Influenza Situation Update 17 March 2015 Hong Kong (China) The overall ILI activity in Hong Kong decreased during week 9 and 10, 2015. In week 9, the average consultation rate ILI among sentinel general outpatient clinics decreased to 7.1 per 1,000 consultations. In week 10, rates declined further to 6.6 per 1,000 consultations and are similar to the rates reported for the same reporting period in 2014 (Figure 7). Figure 7: Consultation rates at sentinel general outpatient clinics, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) In comparison to week 8, 2015 the average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel private doctors increased in week in week 9 and week 10 , 2015, to 44.3 and 52.6 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations respectively (Figure 8). Figure 8: ILI consultation rates at sentinel private doctors, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) In week 10, 2015, the admission rates in public hospitals with a principal diagnosis of influenza for persons aged 0-4 years, 5-64 years and 65 years or above were 0.8, 0.1 and 2.1 cases per 10,000 population respectively, compared with 1.5, 0.2, and 3.2 cases in week 9, 2015. Persons aged 65 years and over continue to have the highest rates of admission; however these rates are decreasing (Figure 9). Influenza Situation Update| 5 Influenza Situation Update 17 March 2015 Figure 9: Influenza associated hospital admission rates and deaths, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) Singapore The average daily number of patients seeking treatment in the polyclinics for ARI decreased from 2,821 (over 5.5 working days) in week 8 to 2,590 (over 5.5 working days) in week 9, 2015 (Figure 10). Figure 10: Average daily policlinic attendances for ARI, Singapore 2014-2015 (Source: Singapore Ministry of Health) Influenza Situation Update| 6 Influenza Situation Update 17 March 2015 Countries in the temperate zone of the southern hemisphere In Australia and New Zealand, the flu season has ended. Epidemiological reporting from these Member States in the Influenza Situation Update will commence during the beginning of the next flu season. Pacific Island Countries and Areas (PICs) In the PICs, ILI activity was variable with an increasing trend observed in a number of islands especially in Kiribati, Tonga, and Wallis and Futuna (Figure 11). Figure 11: Cases of influenza-like illness, diarrhea and prolonged fever by week, Pacific Island Countries and Areas 2014-2015 (Source: Pacific Syndromic Surveillance report Week 8) Influenza Situation Update| 7 Influenza Situation Update 17 March 2015 Virological Surveillance Summary In the Western Pacific Region, in week 9, 2015, Influenza A(H3) and Influenza B (lineage not determined) viruses predominated (Figure 12 and Table 1). Figure 12 Number of specimens positive for influenza by subtype in Western Pacific Region, including Australia, Cambodia, China, New Caledonia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Viet Nam. (Source: FluNet, www.who.int/flunet, GISRS, accessed 16 March 2015) Table 1: Data from WHO FluNet, MOH and Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System on virological influenza surveillance in Australia, China, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Mongolia, Republic of Korea, Singapore and Viet Nam, 2015 Country Reporting period Specimens C 2015 H1 seasonal (H1N1)pdm0 9 H3 unknown Victoria Yamagata unknown Japan 22 Feb -28 Feb 10 positive 0 0 6 0 0 3 1 0 Mongolia 22 Feb - 28 Feb 39 (9 positive) 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 Northern China 22 Feb -28 Feb 1717 (177 positive) 0 1 57 1 1 75 42 0 Republic of Korea 1 Mar -7 Mar 865 positive 0 112 620 0 0 0 133 0 Hong Kong SAR 1 Mar - 7 mar 808 positive 0 23 698 0 0 0 85 2 Singapore 22 Feb - 28 Feb 39 (14 positive) 0 6 3 0 0 5 0 0 Southern China 22 Feb -28 Feb 2812 (502 positive) 0 5 130 4 6 308 47 0 Viet Nam 22 Feb -28 Feb 13 (3 positive) 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 Australia 22 Feb -28 Feb 231 (15 positive) 0 1 9 0 0 0 5 0 Southern Hemisphere Temperate zone Influenza A B Northern Hemisphere Temperate zone Northern Hemisphere Tropical zone Northern Hemisphere Mekong area Influenza Situation Update| 8 Influenza Situation Update 17 March 2015 Countries in the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere China (North) During week 9, 2015, the percentage of specimens that were tested positive for influenza in north China was 18%, lower than in week 8 (Figure 13). Influenza A(H3N2) and influenza B (Yamagata) were the predominant viruses reported. Figure 13: Influenza Positive Tests Reported by Northern Network Laboratories, China 2013-2015 (Data from China National Influenza Center) Mongolia In week 10, 2015, most received specimens tested positive for influenza A (H3) viruses (Figure 14). Figure 14: Number of detected viruses and number of tested specimen, Mongolia 2013-2015 (Source: National Influenza Centre of Mongolia) Influenza Situation Update| 9 Influenza Situation Update 17 March 2015 Republic of Korea In week 10, 2015, 865 specimens were tested positive for influenza viruses, including 620 (72%) influenza A(H3N2), 112 (13%) influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and 133 (15%) influenza B (Figure 15). Figure 15: Number and percentage of specimens tested positive for influenza during influenza season 2014/2015, Republic of Korea (Source: Korean Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) Countries/areas in the tropical zone China (South) During week 9, 2015, the percentage of specimens that tested positive for influenza in south China was 10%, slightly higher than week 8, 2015. Influenza A(H3N2) and influenza B (Yamagata) were the predominant viruses reported (Figure 16). Figure 16: Influenza Positive Test Results Reported by Southern Network Laboratories, China 2013-2015 (Data from China National Influenza Center) Influenza Situation Update| 10 Influenza Situation Update 17 March 2015 Hong Kong (China) Among the respiratory specimens received in week 10, 808 (20%) were tested positive for seasonal influenza viruses, including 26 (0.56 %) influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, 698 (17%) influenza A(H3), 85 (2%) influenza B and 2 (0.05%) influenza C (Figure 17). Figure 17: Number and percentage of specimens tested positive for influenza by week, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) Singapore The proportion of positive influenza results among ILI specimens was 31% (n=126) for the previous 4 weeks. Of the ILI specimens that tested positive for influenza in February 2015, 35% were positive for influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and 33% were positive for influenza A(H3N2) or influenza B (Figure 18). Figure 18: Distribution of influenza types by Month, Singapore 2010-2015 (Source: Singapore Ministry of Health) Global influenza situation updates: Epidemiological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/latest_update_GIP_surveillance/ Virological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/gisrs_laboratory/updates/summaryreport
Influenza Situation Update 3 February 2015 http://www.wpro.who.int/emerging_diseases/Influenza/en/index.html Influenza surveillance summary This influenza surveillance summary includes countries where routine surveillance is conducted and information is available. Countries in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere In countries within the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) activity is increasing following seasonal patterns. China (North) During week 3, 2015, proportion of ILI cases among all consultations at national sentinel hospitals in north China was 3.6%, higher than the last week and the same week of 2011 and 2012 (3.5%, 3.5%, 3.1%), lower than the same week of 2013 and 2014 (4.2%, 4.2%) (Figure 1) Figure 1: Percentage of visits for ILI at sentinel hospitals in north China, 2010-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Japan In Japan number of influenza cases reported weekly per sentinel site has been increasing, following seasonal patterns. (Figure 2) Figure 2 Number of influenza cases reported weekly per sentinel site, Japan 2005-2015 (Source: Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases) Influenza Situation Update| 2 Mongolia ILI activity in Mongolia, in week 4, 2015, has been following seasonal patterns however has surpassed the upper tolerance limit (Figure 3). Though, the proportion of patients with pneumonia among hospitalized patients still exceeds the upper tolerance limit, it is continuously decreasing in these three weeks. (Figure 4) Figure 3 Proportion of outpatients that were ILI (per 10,000 people), Mongolia 2013-2015 (Source: National Influenza Center of Mongolia) Figure 4: Proportion of patients with pneumonia among hospitalized, Mongolia 2013-2015 (Source: National Influenza Center of Mongolia) Influenza Situation Update| 3 Republic of Korea The overall proportion of patients, who visited sentinel physicians for influenza like illness (ILI) was 18‰ for week 4. This proportion is above the national baseline of 12‰ (Figure 5). Figure 5 The weekly proportion of ILI visits per 1,000 patients, Republic of Korea 2011-2015 (Source: Korean Center for Disease Control and Prevention) Countries/areas in the tropical zone In countries/areas in the tropical zone, the overall ILI activity was variable. China (South) During week 3 2015 the percentage of outpatient or emergency visits for ILI at national sentinel hospitals in south China was 3.0%, higher than the last week and the same week of 2012 and 2013 (2.9%, 2.7%, 2.6%), and lower than the same week of 2011 and 2014 (3.3%, 3.6%) (Figure 6). Figure 6: Percentage of visits due to ILI at national sentinel hospitals in south China, 2010-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Influenza Situation Update| 4 Hong Kong (China) The overall influenza activity has continued to increase and rapidly reached a high level comparable to the peak levels in previous seasons with high activities. The ILI consultation rates at sentinel general outpatient clinics have increased in the past five weeks. The average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel general outpatient clinics was 9.4 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations in week 4, 2015 (Figure 7). Figure 7: Consultation rates at sentinel general outpatient clinics, Hong Kong 2013-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) The average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel private doctors has increased in the past four weeks. The average consultation rate was 69 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations in week 4, 2015 (Figure 8). Figure 8: ILI consultation rates at sentinel private doctors, Hong Kong 2013-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) Influenza Situation Update| 5 In week 4, 2015, hospital admission rates with principal diagnosis of influenza for persons aged 0-4 years, 5-64 years and 65 years or above were 2.92, 0.23 and 3.79 cases per 10,000 people in the age group, respectively. The hospital admission rate of influenza among elderly aged 65 years or above is at a high level, exceeding the highest levels recorded in the past few years (Figure 9). Figure 9: Influenza associated hospital admission rates and deaths, Hong Kong 2013-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) Singapore The average daily number of patients seeking treatment in the polyclinics for ARI increased from 2,921 (over 5.5 working days) in week 2, 2015 to 3,035 (over 5.5 working days) in week 3, 2015. (Figure 10) Figure 10: Average daily policlinic attendances for ARI, Singapore 2014-2015 (Source: Singapore Ministry of Health) Influenza Situation Update| 6 Countries in the temperate zone of the southern hemisphere In Australia and New Zealand, the flu season has ended. Reporting from these Member States in the Influenza Situation Update will commence during the beginning of the next flu season. Pacific Island Countries and Areas (PICs) In the PICs, ILI activity was variable with an increasing trend observed in a number of islands especially in Fiji, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Northern Mariana Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. (Figure 11) Figure 11: Cases of influenza-like illness, diarrhea and prolonged fever by week, Pacific Island Countries and Areas 2014-2015 Influenza Situation Update| 7 Virological Surveillance Summary Table 1: Data from WHO FluNet, MOH and Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System on virological influenza surveillance in China, Hong Kong SAR, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Viet Nam and Australia, WHO Countries in the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere China (North) During week 3, 2015 the percentage of specimens that were tested positive for influenza in north China was 20%, which was lower than the previous week (24%) (Figure 12). Influenza A(H3N2) was the predominant strain reported. Figure 12: Influenza Positive Tests Reported by Northern Network Laboratories, China 2013-2015 (Data from China National Influenza Center) Influenza Situation Update| 8 Mongolia In week 4 2015, most received specimens tested positive for influenza A(H3) viruses(Figure 13). Figure 13: Number of detected viruses and number of tested specimen, Mongolia 2013-2015 (Source: National Influenza Center of Mongolia) Republic of Korea 192 influenza viruses were isolated until the 4th week in 2014-2015 season. 138 viruses were identified as influenza A(H3N2), 36 viruses were identified as influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and 18 viruses were identified as influenza B (Figure 14). Figure 14: Number and percentage of specimens tested positive for influenza during influenza season 2014/2015, Republic of Korea (Source: Korean Center for Disease Control and Prevention) Influenza Situation Update| 9 Countries/areas in the tropical zone China (South) During week 3, 2015 the percentage of specimens that tested positive for influenza in south China was 21%, which was higher than the previous week (19%). Influenza A(H3N2) and Influenza B (Yamagata) were the predominant strains reported. (Figure 15) Figure 15: Influenza Positive Test Reported by Southern Network Laboratories, China 2013-2015 (Data from China National Influenza Center) Hong Kong (China) Among the respiratory specimens received in week 4, 1336 (30.96%) were tested positive for seasonal influenza viruses, including 1295 influenza A(H3), 39 influenza B and 2 influenza A(H1N1)pdm09. (Figure 16) Figure 16: Number and percentage of specimens tested positive for influenza by week, Hong Kong 2014-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) Influenza Situation Update| 10 Singapore The overall prevalence of influenza among ILI samples (n=104) in the community was 34% in the past 4 weeks. Of the specimens tested positive for influenza in December 2014, 92% were positive for influenza A(H3N2) while 8% were positive for influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 . (Figure 17) Figure 17: Distribution of influenza types by Month, Singapore 2010-2015 (Source: Singapore Ministry of Health) Global influenza situation updates: Epidemiological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/latest_update_GIP_surveillance/ Virological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/gisrs_laboratory/updates/summaryreport
Influenza Situation Update| 1 Influenza Situation Update 17 February 2015 http://www.wpro.who.int/emerging_diseases/Influenza/en/index.html Influenza surveillance summary This influenza surveillance summary includes countries where routine surveillance is conducted and information is available. Countries in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere In countries within the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) activity is increasing following the seasonal pattern. China (North) During week 6, 2015, the proportion of ILI cases among all consultations at national sentinel hospitals in north China was 2.9%, lower than the last week and the same week of 2013 and 2014 (3.0%, 3.5%, 4.1%), and higher than the same week of 2011 (2.8%). (Figure 1) Figure 1: Percentage of visits for ILI at sentinel hospitals in north China, 2010-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Japan In Japan, the number of influenza cases reported weekly per sentinel site started decreasing, following the seasonal pattern. (Figure 2) Figure 2: Number of influenza cases reported weekly per sentinel site, Japan 2005-2015 (Source: Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases) Influenza Situation Update| 2 Influenza Situation Update 17 February 2015 Mongolia ILI activity in Mongolia in week 6 2015 has been following the seasonal pattern (Figure 3). The proportion of patients with pneumonia among hospitalized patients decreased to the upper tolerance limit. (Figure 4) Figure 3: Proportion of outpatients that were ILI (per 10,000 people), Mongolia 2013-2015 (Source: National Influenza Center of Mongolia) Figure 4: Proportion of patients with pneumonia among hospitalized, Mongolia 2013-2015 (Source: National Influenza Center of Mongolia) Republic of Korea The overall proportion of patients, who visited sentinel physicians for influenza like illness (ILI) was 42‰ for week 7. This proportion is above the national baseline of 12‰. (Figure 5) Figure 5: The weekly proportion of ILI visits per 1,000 patients, Republic of Korea 2011-2015 (Source: Korean Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) Influenza Situation Update| 3 Influenza Situation Update 17 February 2015 Countries/areas in the tropical zone In countries/areas in the tropical zone, the overall ILI activity was variable. China (South) During week 6 2015, the percentage of outpatient or emergency visits for ILI at national sentinel hospitals in south China was 2.8%, lower than the last week and the same week of 2011 and 2014 (3.0%, 2.9%, 3.5%), and higher than the same week of 2012 (2.7%, 2.5%). (Figure 6) Figure 6: Percentage of visits due to ILI at national sentinel hospitals in south China, 2010-2015 (Source: China National Influenza Center) Hong Kong (China) The overall influenza activity remains at a very high level. In week 6, the average consultation rate for influenza-like illness (ILI) among sentinel general outpatient clinics increased to 11.5 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations, and the rate is the highest in these 4 years. (Figure 7) Figure 7: Consultation rates at sentinel general outpatient clinics, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) Influenza Situation Update| 4 Influenza Situation Update 17 February 2015 The average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel private doctors increased to 71 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations from 61 recorded in the previous week (Figure 8). Figure 8: ILI consultation rates at sentinel private doctors, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) In week 6, the admission rates in public hospitals with principal diagnosis of influenza for persons aged 0-4 years, 5-64 years and 65 years or above were 3.08, 0.22 and 3.76 cases (per 10,000 people in the age group) respectively, as compared to 2.61, 0.30 and 5.46 cases in the previous week. The rate for the elderly has remained at a high level, which is above the levels recorded in the past few years. (Figure 9) Figure 9: Influenza associated hospital admission rates and deaths, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) Influenza Situation Update| 5 Influenza Situation Update 17 February 2015 Singapore The average daily number of patients seeking treatment in the polyclinics for ARI increased from 2,918 (over 5.5 working days) in week 4 to 2931 (over 5.5 working days) in week 5, 2015. (Figure 10) Figure 10: Average daily policlinic attendances for ARI, Singapore 2014-2015 (Source: Singapore Ministry of Health) Countries in the temperate zone of the southern hemisphere In Australia and New Zealand, the flu season has ended. Reporting from these Member States in the Influenza Situation Update will commence during the beginning of the next flu season. Pacific Island Countries and Areas (PICs) In the PICs, ILI activity was variable with an increasing trend observed in a number of islands especially in Northern Mariana Islands, French Polynesia, Samoa, and Vanuatu. (Figure 11) Figure 11: Cases of influenza-like illness, diarrhea and prolonged fever by week, Pacific Island Countries and Areas 2014-2015 Influenza Situation Update| 6 Influenza Situation Update 17 February 2015 Virological Surveillance Summary Table 1: Data from WHO FluNet, MOH and Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System on virological influenza surveillance in China, Hong Kong SAR, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Viet Nam and Australia, WHO Countries in the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere China (North) During week 6, 2015 the percentage of specimens that were tested positive for influenza in north China was 11%, lower than previous week (Figure 12). Influenza A(H3N2) was the predominant strain reported. Figure 12: Influenza Positive Tests Reported by Northern Network Laboratories, China 2013-2015 (Data from China National Influenza Center) Country Reporting period Samples received C 2015 H1 (H1N1)pd m09 H3 H5 H7 unknown Victoria Yamagata unknown Northern China 2 Feb - 8 Feb 2030 0 3 127 0 0 1 2 56 31 0 Republ ic of Korea 8 Feb - 14 Feb 530 pos i tive 0 74 404 0 0 0 0 0 52 0 Hong Kong 1 Feb - 7 Feb 1670 pos i tive 0 7 1614 0 0 0 0 0 47 2 Singapore 1 Feb - 7 Feb 32 0 5 5 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 Southern China 2 Feb - 8 Feb 2800 0 3 231 0 0 1 3 333 39 0 Viet Nam 18 Jan-24 Jan 12 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Austra l ia 1 Feb - 7 Feb 181 0 2 16 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 Southern Hemisphere Temperate zone Influenza A B Northern Hemisphere Temperate zone Northern Hemisphere Tropical zone Northern Hemisphere Mekong area Influenza Situation Update| 7 Influenza Situation Update 17 February 2015 Mongolia In week 6 2015, most received specimens tested positive for influenza A (H3) viruses. (Figure 13) Figure 13: Number of detected viruses and number of tested specimen, Mongolia 2013-2015 (Source: National Influenza Centre of Mongolia) Republic of Korea 530 were tested positive for influenza viruses, including 404 (76%) influenza A(H3N2), 74 (14%) influenza A(H1N1) pdm09 and 52 (10%) influenza B (Figure 14). Figure 14: Number and percentage of specimens tested positive for influenza during influenza season 2014/2015, Republic of Korea (Source: Korean Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) Influenza Situation Update| 8 Influenza Situation Update 17 February 2015 Countries/areas in the tropical zone China (South) During week 6, 2015 the percentage of specimens that tested positive for influenza in south China was 22%, which was lower than the previous week. Influenza A(H3N2) and influenza B (Yamagata) were the predominant strains reported. (Figure 15) Figure 15: Influenza Positive Test Reported by Southern Network Laboratories, China 2013-2015 (Data from China National Influenza Center) Hong Kong (China) Among the respiratory specimens received in week 6, 1,670 (34.4%) were tested positive for seasonal influenza viruses, including 7 (0.14%) influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, 1,614 (33.25%) influenza A(H3), 47 (0.97%) influenza B and 2 (0.04%) influenza C. (Figure 16) Figure 16: Number and percentage of specimens tested positive for influenza by week, Hong Kong 2011-2015 (Source: Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection) Influenza Situation Update| 9 Influenza Situation Update 17 February 2015 Singapore The overall prevalence of influenza among ILI samples (n=121) in the community was 34.7% in the past 4 weeks. Of the specimens tested positive for influenza in January 2015, 64.3% were positive for influenza A (H3N2), 16.7% were positive for influenza B and 14.3% were positive for influenza A (H1N1)pdm09. (Figure 17) Figure 17: Distribution of influenza types by Month, Singapore 2010-2015 (Source: Singapore Ministry of Health) Global influenza situation updates: Epidemiological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/latest_update_GIP_surveillance/ Virological update: http://www.who.int/influenza/gisrs_laboratory/updates/summaryreport