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. 2020 Mar;13(3):423-429.
doi: 10.1016/j.jiph.2019.06.009. Epub 2019 Jul 4.

Epidemiology of severe cases of influenza and other acute respiratory infections in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, July 2016 to June 2018

Mohamed Elhakim  1 , Mohammad Hafiz Rasooly  2 , Manal Fahim  3 , Sami Sheikh Ali  4 , Nadine Haddad  5 , Imad Cherkaoui  6 , Diaa Hjaija  7 , Shazia Nadeem  8 , Abdullah Assiri  9 , Alanoud Aljifri  10 , Amgad Elkholy  11 , Amal Barakat  11 , Bhagawan Shrestha  11 , Abdinasir Abubakar  11 , Sk Md Mamunur R Malik  11
Affiliations

Epidemiology of severe cases of influenza and other acute respiratory infections in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, July 2016 to June 2018

Mohamed Elhakim et al. J Infect Public Health. 2020 Mar.

Abstract

Background: Influenza surveillance systems in the Eastern Mediterranean Region have been strengthened in the past few years and 16 of the 19 countries in the Region with functional influenza surveillance systems report their influenza data to the EMFLU Network. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of circulating influenza viruses, causing SARI, and reported to the EMFLU during July 2016 to June 2018.

Methods: Data included in this study were collected by 15 countries of the Region from 110 SARI sentinel surveillance sites over two influenza seasons.

Results: A total of 40,917 cases of SARI were included in the study. Most cases [20,551 (50.2%)] were less than 5years of age. Influenza virus was detected in 3995 patients, 2849 (11.8%) were influenza A and 1146 (4.8%) were influenza B. Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 was the predominant circulating subtype with 1666 cases (58.5%). Other than influenza, respiratory syncytial virus was the most common respiratory infection circulating, with 277 cases (35.9%).

Conclusion: Influenza viruses cause a high number of severe respiratory infections in EMR. It is crucial for the countries to continue improving their influenza surveillance capacity in order detect any unusual influenza activity or new strain that may cause a pandemic.

Keywords: EMFLU Network; Eastern Mediterranean Region; Human; Influenza; Sentinel surveillance; Severe acute respiratory infections.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
(a) Number and percentage of influenza positive cases reported to EMFLU Network, by age group, epidemiological weeks 26/2016-26/2018. (b) Number of all SARI cases reported to EMFLU Network, by age group, distributed from epidemiological weeks 26/2016 to epidemiological week 26/2018.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
(a) Distribution of influenza positive cases reported to EMFLU Network by subtype each year, epidemiological weeks 26/2016-26/2018. (b) Distribution of enrolled SARI cases reported to EMFLU Network by each year, epidemiological weeks 26/2016-26/2018.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Distribution of positive respiratory infection cases reported to EMFLU Network, by type, epidemiological weeks 26/2016-26/2018 (hMPV: human metapneumovirus, hPIV: human parainfluenza virus, RSV: respiratory syncytial virus).
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
(a) Distribution of cases of influenza A and B in the Northern Africa influenza transmission zone in epidemiological weeks 26/2016-26/2018 by virus type. (b) Distribution of cases of influenza A and B in the South Asia influenza transmission zone in epidemiological weeks 26/2016-26/2018. (c) Distribution of cases of influenza A and B in the Western Asia influenza transmission zone in epidemiological weeks 26/2016-26/2018.
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