WHO: Influenza update

September 28, 2012 - Update number 169

Summary

• Seasonal influenza transmission has not been picked up yet in the northern temperate zone. Most countries in this zone have started or are yet to begin seasonal reporting.
• In the tropical areas most countries are reporting low or decreasing trends of influenza detections. The exceptions are Nicaragua in the Americas and India and Thailand in Asia.
• Influenza activity decreased in most of the temperate countries of the southern hemisphere. Australia, Chile, New Zealand, Paraguay and South Africa continue to report declines in influenza indicators. On the other hand, Argentina has reported some late influenza activity.
• WHO has recommended the influenza vaccine composition for use in the 2013 southern hemisphere influenza season following technical consultations in September 2012.

• -Full version Epidemiological influenza surveillance update
  pdf, 697kb

• - Virological influenza surveillance update

• - Peer-reviewed literature
  Vaccination of Health Care Workers to Protect Patients at Increased Risk for Acute Respiratory Disease

• Recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2013 southern hemisphere influenza season
  pdf, 175kb

http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/latest_update_GIP_surveillance/en/