Influenza Virological Surveillance in the WHO African Region, Epidemiological Week 34, 2017
During epidemiological week 34, 9 laboratories (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Mauritius, Senegal, South Africa and Zambia) in the African region influenza laboratory network contributed data for analysis. During week 34, 106 specimens were positive for influenza out of the 487 that were tested (22 % positivity rate). This represents a similar influenza positivity rate to the previous week (week 33, 22 %). Influenza types and subtypes identified were influenza A/H3 (47/106, 44%), influenza A/H1N1pdm09 (12/106, 11%) and influenza B (45/106, 43%). Two specimens remained untyped (2%).
Cumulatively* from epidemiological week 1 to 34 the AFR influenza laboratory network has collected over 24,200 specimens and tested 23,156, of which 3,189 have been positive for influenza virus (positivity rate 13%).
* adjusted for retrospective data .