7 March 2017 - In the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, influenza activity remained low in February, based on data received. All seasonal influenza sub-types were detected in the Region. In Qatar, moderate activity was reported for the predominant sub-type influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 (Fig. 1).
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Fig. 1. Situation of influenza circulation in Eastern Mediterranean Region, February 2017
Influenza activity by sub-type
• Egypt reported 2 human cases caused by avian influenza A(H5N1) –a 45-year-old man (dead) and a 4-year-old child from 2 governorates.
• In northern Africa, influenza B and Influenza A(H3) were detected in Morocco and Tunisia and A(H3) was reported in Egypt. In western Asia, all seasonal influenza subtypes were detected in Bahrain, Iraq and Qatar. In southern Asia, Influenza B is the predominant circulating virus in Islamic Republic of Iran with co-circulation of A(H3) (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2. Weekly positive cases of influenza by sub-type, February 2016-February 2017
Circulating influenza viruses by sub-type
• During February, national influenza centres and influenza laboratories in the Region tested a total of 2524 specimens for influenza viruses, of which 223 (13%) were positive.
• Influenza A viruses accounted for 66% (147) of tested samples and 34% (76) were for influenza B virus samples (Fig. 3).
Fig. 3. Circulating influenza viruses in the EMR by type, EPI weeks 5-8
Related link
Influenza update – February 2017