# 4737
Since it is summer, as one might expect, influenza activity remains low in North America and most of Europe. South of the equator and in tropical regions, however, flu-like illnesses are far more prevalent.
A couple of reports on the global flu trends this morning. One from the World Health Organization and the other from PAHO.
While pandemic H1N1 continues to circulate - currently nowhere are we seeing alarming levels of influenza activity – although a number of countries are reporting rates of illness typical for this time of year.
The latest WHO update (week 26 – ending July 3rd) highlights the mixtures of laboratory typed flu strains from several reporting countries.
As you can see, reports of seasonal H3N2’s demise last fall were premature. It continues to circulate in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, Australia, and parts of South East Asia.
PAHO (Pan American Health Organization) meanwhile has their latest report on influenza activity in the Americas.
Regional Update, Pandemic (H1N1) 2009. (Published on July 19, 2010)
The information contained within this update is obtained from data provided by Ministries of Health of Member States and National Influenza Centers through reports sent to Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) or updates on their web pages.
To download the full report in PDF click here .
Weekly Update
- In South America, Colombia and Peru reported an increasing trend of acute respiratory disease.
- In Central America, El Salvador reported an increasing trend in acute respiratory disease.
- In the Caribbean, Dominica reported an increasing trend in acute respiratory disease.
- In North America, acute respiratory disease activity remained low.
- The respiratory viruses circulating in Central America and Caribbean are diverse, with different predominance of influenza viruses (H1N1 pandemic, seasonal influenza A H3N3 and influenza B) in each country.
- 2 new confirmed deaths in 2 countries were reported; in total there have been 8,525 cumulative confirmed deaths in 28 countries of the Region.
