Progress and Remaining Gaps in Estimating the Global Disease Burden of Influenza

Abstract

Influenza has long been a global public health priority because of the threat of another global pandemic. Although data are available for the annual burden of seasonal influenza in many developed countries, fewer disease burden data are available for low-income and tropical countries. In recent years, however, the surveillance systems created as part of national pandemic preparedness efforts have produced substantial data on the epidemiology and impact of influenza in countries where data were sparse. These data are leading to greater interest in seasonal influenza, including implementation of vaccination programs. However, a lack of quality data on severe influenza, nonrespiratory outcomes, and high-risk groups, as well as a need for better mathematical models and economic evaluations, are some of the major gaps that remain. These gaps are the focus of multilateral research and surveillance efforts that will strengthen global efforts in influenza control in the future.

Analysis of research intensity on infectious disease by disease burden reveals which infectious diseases are neglected by researchers

“…Its continuous genetic evolution and antigenic drift encourage researchers to study its molecular epidemiology and vaccine effectiveness every season (16). The implementation of molecular techniques, such as PCR and DNA sequencing, even in lower-middle and low income countries may have facilitated research about the disease worldwide (17,18). The influenza pandemic in 2009 had a great impact on the number of publications about the disease (19), and the emergence and spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza and the importance to prepare for future influenza pandemics could be further reasons for the increased research intensity (20).…”

A typology of beliefs and misperceptions about the influenza disease and vaccine among older adults in Singapore

“…Seasonal influenza in Singapore presents significant health burdens with 15 influenza-related deaths among every 100,000 people and influenza-associated deaths are 11 among the older adult segment than the general population [2]. Furthermore, influenza continues to pose threats of a future global pandemic and thus remains as a public health concern [3]. Vaccination remains the most effective practice to prevent influenza infection [4].…”

Influenza H1 Mosaic Hemagglutinin Vaccine Induces Broad Immunity and Protection in Mice

“…Recombinant virus was amplified through passages in 293 cells up to a Corning 10-cell stack flask (~6300 cm 2 ). Virus was purified with 2 consecutive CsCl gradients and desalted though Econo-Pac 10DG Desalting Columns (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA, USA) before storage at −80 • C in Ad-tris buffer (100 mM NaCl, 20 mM Tris-HCl, 1…”

“…Annually, influenza A virus (IAV) infects~5-10% of adults and 20-30% of children worldwide, resulting in up to 650,000 deaths each year [1][2][3]. The ability of IAV to mutate, reassort, and infect multiple hosts results in a diverse viral population that causes annual epidemics and occasionally pandemic outbreaks.…”