9 May 2017 – In the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, influenza activity for the month of April 2017 remained low in countries of the Region reporting data to FluNet and EMFLU namely, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia (Fig. 1). All seasonal influenza subtypes were detected in the Region.
Fig. 1. Influenza activity in Eastern Mediterranean Region, April 2017
Influenza activity by sub-type
In April 2017, Egypt reported one case of influenza A/H5N1– a 35-year-old man from Cairo governorate.
In northern Africa influenza transmission zone, Tunisia reported sporadic cases of influenza B and influenza A/H3 viruses. In western Asia influenza transmission zone, Oman reported circulation of all seasonal influenza subtypes, while Saudi Arabia reported circulation of Influenza A (not subtyped) and influenza B. In southern Asia transmission zone, Pakistan reported sporadic cases of A/H3, Islamic Republic of Iran reported circulation of all seasonal influenza subtypes with influenza B predominant. (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2. Weekly positive cases of influenza by sub-type, April 2016–April 2017
Circulating influenza viruses by subtype
During April 2017, national infkuenza centres in the Region and influenza laboratories tested a total of 2131 specimens for influenza viruses of which 147 (7%) tested positive. Of the viruses tested, 68 (46%) were influenza A viruses and 79 (54%) were influenza B viruses (Fig. 3).
Fig. 3. Circulating Influenza viruses in the Region by type, Epi week 13–17, 2017
Of the sub-typed influenza A viruses, 31 (21%) were influenza A/H1N1pdm09 viruses and 18 (12%) were influenza A/H3 viruses.
Related link
Influenza monthly update, April 2017
