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Influenza activity update

[MAIN ARTICLE: Committee recommends remaining components of influenza vaccine]
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April 1997

Influenza activity in the United States began to decrease mid-January, and although the predominant viruses have been influenza type A (H3N2), the proportion of influenza type B isolates began to increase the week ending January 18. During January 26 through February 15, 42.5% of the 391 reported influenza isolates were type B, and at least one type B isolate has been reported from each region of the country, according to the CDC.

Several countries reported moderate to severe influenza epidemics during the 1996-1997 influenza season, according to WHO. In central and eastern Europe, influenza activity increased around mid-January. Influenza A viruses were isolated worldwide and were almost exclusively of the influenza A(H3N2) subtype.

Most influenza virus isolates from Asia were influenza B with the exception of Japan, where influenza A(H3N2) predominated. Influenza B was reported in parts of Europe, either along with influenza A or following the decline of influenza A activity.

Based on worldwide surveillance data, WHO recommended the following strains for next year's trivalent influenza vaccine:

  • B/Beijing/184/93-like: B/Harbin/7/94
  • A/Wuhan/359/95(H3N2)-like: A/Nanchang/933/95
  • A/Bayern/7/95(H1N1)-like: A/Shenzhen/227/95 and A/Johannesburg/82/96 are both being considered possible candidates, but the influenza A(H1N1) strain selection for Europe is at the same point as the United States in determining the strain for manufacturing.

The European community recently announced they will follow the WHO recommendation, Levandowski said.

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MAIN ARTICLE: Committee recommends remaining components of influenza vaccine

Ninety-three percent of the influenza isolates for this season have been influenza type A(H3N2).

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Copyright 1997, SLACK Incorporated. Revised 18 April 1997.