Excess mortality among the elderly in European countries, December 2014 to February 2015

Abstract

Since December 2014 and up to February 2015, the weekly number of excess deaths from all-causes among individuals?≥?65 years of age in 14 European countries have been significantly higher than in the four previous winter seasons. The rise in unspecified excess mortality coincides with increased proportion of influenza detection in the European influenza surveillance schemes with a main predominance of influenza A(H3N2) viruses seen throughout Europe in the current season, though cold snaps and other respiratory infections may also have had an effect.

Excess all-cause and influenza-attributable mortality in Europe, December 2016 to February 2017

“…That season was also characterised by a sharp rise in mortality in the elderly coinciding with widespread circulation of influenza A(H3N2) virus in many countries, as also detected and reported through the EuroMOMO mortality monitoring system [5]. The A(H3N2) virus strain that circulated in 2014/15 had drifted considerably from the strain chosen as the A(H3N2) component in the seasonal vaccine, possibly also contributing to the excess mortality among the elderly, the key target group for vaccinations in Europe.…”

“…This excess mortality may vary considerably between countries, by age group and from one season to another [1-5]. Circulation of influenza virus, in particular with the subtype A(H3N2), has been shown to be the main seasonal driver of excess mortality, particularly among the elderly (≥ 65 years of age), but other factors such as other respiratory agents and extreme cold weather may contribute as well [6-10].…”

Stalling life expectancy in the UK

“…The mortality monitoring agency EuroMOMO (www.euromomo.eu) reported excess winter deaths in 2015 across much of Europe, including the UK. Most of these were in older people and were attributed largely to flu, based on corroborative information on morbidity, the flu strain in circulation, and low efficacy of the vaccine 1314. The pattern of excess winter deaths reported for other years is also similar across much of Europe and points to the role of flu, pneumonia, and respiratory disease more generally in some years.…”

Influenza‐associated mortality determined from all‐cause mortality, Denmark 2010/11‐2016/17: The FluMOMO model

“…In the following season, 2014/15, A(H3N2) influenza started to circulate late with low intensity. However, many patients received intensive care, and mortality was high among the elderly. In the rather long 2015/16 season, influenza first came as A(N1H1)pdm09 and was followed by B.…”