Regional Update, Influenza. Epidemiological Week 22 (15 June 2022) 

ABSTRACT

[WEEKLY SUMMARY]. North America Influenza and SARS-CoV-2 activity remained at low levels. In Canada, influenza activity with influenza A(H3N2) viruses predominating declined slightly this week. In Mexico, influenza positivity with influenza A(H3N2) viruses predominating increased somewhat. In the United States, influenza activity decreased overall, with influenza A(H3N2) viruses predominating and SARS-CoV-2 activity increasing. Caribbean Influenza activity remained at low levels with predominating influenza A(H3N2). SARS-CoV-2 activity increased slightly in the Dominican Republic and Saint Lucia. Central America Influenza and SARS-CoV-2 activity remained low. In Costa Rica and Panama, SARS-CoV-2 activity and percent positivity increased compared to the previous week. In Guatemala, ILI activity was at high levels and associated with co-circulation of influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and RSV. Andean Influenza activity remained low with A(H3N2) predominance, and SARS-CoV-2 activity declined in most countries. In Bolivia, SARI activity was elevated and associated with co-circulation of influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and RSV. Brazil and Southern Cone Influenza with A(H3N2) predominance remained low but continued to increase, and SARS‑ CoV-2 activity remained low but increased slightly. In Chile, influenza and RSV activity continues to increase. In Paraguay, SARI activity continues elevated and is associated with the co-circulation of influenza SARS-CoV-2 and RSV. In Uruguay, SARI activity was at moderate levels and associated with increased detections of influenza A(H3N2). Global Influenza activity continued to decrease, following a peak in March 2022. In some areas, increasing activity has been reported in the temperate southern hemisphere. In the temperate zones of the southern hemisphere, overall influenza activity increased slightly in recent weeks. Detections of influenza A and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have risen sharply in some regions of Australia. Influenza detections continued to increase in South Africa though the detections rate was low. In tropical Africa, influenza activity remained low, with influenza A(H3N2) predominant. In Southern and South-East Asia, influenza virus detections were at low levels overall. In Europe, overall influenza activity continues to decline, with influenza A(H3N2) predominant among the subtyped viruses. In Central Asia, no influenza detections were reported. In Northern Africa, Tunisia reported a single influenza B detection. In East Asia, influenza activity of predominantly influenza A(H3N2) increased in the southern provinces of China. Respiratory illness indicators remained elevated in Mongolia, though influenza detections were low. In Western Asia, increased influenza detections were reported in Qatar, with influenza A(H3N2) most frequently detected. Overall COVID-19 positivity from sentinel surveillance increased during the reporting period to approximately 30.0%. The highest increases were observed in the Americas and the Western Pacific regions, where positivity was around 20.0% and 30.0%, respectively. In the other Regions, positivity was around or below 10.0%. Activity from non-sentinel sites was varied, with overall positivity around 15.0%.