EMEA braces for possible influenza epidemic next winter

In the southern hemisphere, influenza epidemics usually occur from May to October¹. And in the northern hemisphere, they occur primarily from October to May¹. This includes countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Transmission alternates between the two hemispheres through these seasons¹.

Zhang et al. showed that Australian influenza surveillance and local internet search data may be able to predict future influenza epidemics in the northern hemisphere¹. Since mid-April, Australia’s weekly number of laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza has surpassed its 5-year average⁴.

When comparing data from different Australian influenza seasons, results should be interpreted with caution because they may not represent an accurate picture of influenza activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic⁴.

In the United Kingdom, the National Health Service (NHS) is preparing for 2022-23 influenza rates similar to or higher than levels recorded before the COVID-19 pandemic³. This may be caused by social contact returning to how it was before the pandemic³.

Denmark registered a relatively late surge in influenza infections near the end of March 2022⁵. The lifting of almost all COVID-19 restrictions at the end of January 2022 may explain this sudden increase in influenza cases⁵.

More on this topic: 65 million injection devices ordered by the U. K. government in anticipation of COVID-19 vaccine

Vaccination is key

In anticipation of possible COVID-influenza co-infections, the New Zealander government has ordered 2 million influenza vaccines (40% more than usual) and kicked off their influenza vaccination campaign on 1st April⁶.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is advising countries to prepare for the possibility of COVID and influenza co-circulation during the 2022-23 season^2,3.

For more information on vaccination, read a related article on “World Immunisation Week—vaccines and syringes then and now.”