Very little influenza in the WHO European Region during the 2020/21 season, weeks 40 2020 to 8 2021

Abstract

Between weeks 40 2020 and 8 2021, the World Health Organization European Region experienced a 99.8% reduction in sentinel influenza virus positive detections (33/25,606 tested; 0.1%) relative to an average of 14,966/39,407 (38.0%; p < 0.001) over the same time in the previous six seasons. COVID-19 pandemic public health and physical distancing measures may have extinguished the 2020/21 European seasonal influenza epidemic with just a few sporadic detections of all viral subtypes. This might possibly continue during the remainder of the influenza season.

Social Distancing, Lockdown and the Wide Use of Mask; A Magic Solution or a Double-Edged Sword for Respiratory Viruses Epidemiology?

“…In several southern hemisphere countries on different continents, influenza epidemics were very weak during 2020, and even disappeared in some places [4]. During the 2021 winter in the northern hemisphere, influenza activity almost disappeared, exhibiting an unheard decrease in viral isolates and recording three logs behind the normal findings [5,6]. The same has happened with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) [7].…”

The impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the prevalence of respiratory tract pathogens in patients with community-acquired pneumonia in Germany

“…Our data match very well with surveillance data showing the abrupt decline of influenza activity shortly after the appearance of SARS-CoV-2 and the initiation of NPI not only in Germany in early 2020 [ 8 ]. In addition, influenza activity remained very low in Europe until 31st December 2020 [ 9 ]. Of note, retrospective analysis of surveillance samples and samples from CAP patients did not detect unrecognized COVID-19 cases in Germany in December 2019 [ 5 , 10 ].…”

Agent-based Investigation of the Impact of Low Rates of Influenza on Next Season Influenza Infections

“…Limited influenza transmission was detected during the summer influenza season in the southern hemisphere [3]. Influenza activity was similarly limited in Canada [4] and in Europe, where the WHO European Region saw a 99.8% reduction in detection of influenza by sentinel surveillance over weeks 40/2020 and 8/2021 relative to the same period in the 6 prior seasons [5]. Little influenza activity was detected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US during the 2020-21 influenza season [6].…”