Update: Influenza Activity -- Europe, United States
Europe: Although influenza activity occurred at low levels in
many countries during late 1984 and early 1985, the level of
activity
increased in some European countries during February. Influenza
type
A(H3N2) has remained the predominant virus strain, but some
outbreaks
of type B and, to a lesser extent, type A(H1N1) have occurred this
season.
Following the widespread outbreaks during January 1985 in the
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Norway (1), during
February,
influenza type A(H3N2) activity increased to widespread levels in
the
Federal Republic of Germany, the German Democratic Republic,
Sweden,
and Finland. The incidence of influenza-like illness also
increased
in southern France, where type A(H3N2), type B, and a few type
A(H1N1)
viruses were isolated. Influenza type A(H1N1) viruses were
isolated
in Switzerland in association with sporadic cases and localized
outbreaks among children. An outbreak of influenza type B,
affecting
all age groups, occurred in Greece.
United States: Influenza morbidity and mortality continue to
decline (Figure 2). For the week ending March 16, no state
reported
widespread outbreaks of influenza-like illness, and eight states
reported regional outbreaks. For the preceding week, three states
had
reported widespread outbreaks, and 13 states regional outbreaks, of
influenza-like illness. The most recent week that no state
reported
widespread outbreaks ended January 12. Of total deaths reported by
121 cities for the week ending March 16, 6.3% were associated with
pneumonia or influenza, compared with the 6.2%, 7.3%, and 7.3% of
the
total deaths that were associated with pneumonia or influenza for
the
3 preceding weeks.
Reported by Virus Diseases Unit, World Health Organization, Geneva
Switzerland; Participating physicians of the American Academy of
Family Physicians; State and Territorial Epidemiologists; State
Laboratory Directors; Other collaborating laboratories; Statistical
Svcs Br, Div of Surveillance and Epidemiologic Studies,
Epidemiology
Program Office, WHO Collaborating Centre for Influenza, Influenza
Br,
Div of Viral Diseases, Center for Infectious Diseases, CDC.
Reference
CDC. Update: influenza activity--worldwide, United States.
MMWR
1985;34:114-6.
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