2009 H1N1 Flu: International Situation Update
August 9, 2010, 4:00 PM ET
This report provides an update to the international flu situation using data collected through August 1, 2010, and reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) on August 6.
Global Flu Activity Update
WHO continues to report laboratory-confirmed 2009 H1N1 flu deaths and situational updates on its Web page. These fatal cases are an under-representation of the actual numbers, as many deaths are never tested for influenza or recognized as flu related.
Overall, flu activity due to 2009 H1N1 and seasonal influenza viruses is low worldwide.
Northern Temperate
In the Northern Hemisphere, flu activity has been low or sporadic during the past month.
Southern Temperate
In the Southern Hemisphere, levels of flu activity vary by location with the most active areas of pandemic transmission in parts of South Asia and in limited areas of tropical and South America. Overall seasonal and pandemic flu activity remains low in the temperate zone of the Southern Hemisphere, except in South Africa. East Africa and Southeast Asia continue to see circulation of seasonal influenza viruses, especially influenza A (H3N2).
Australia and New Zealand have reported increases in influenza like activity (ILI) rates for the past 6-8 weeks, particularly in recent weeks; however, rates are still below those seen in 2009. 2009 H1N1 is the most frequently reported influenza virus, with low level co-circulation of influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B viruses.
Argentina and Chile are reporting overall low flu activity. 2009 H1N1 is the most frequently reported influenza virus in Chile, with low level co-circulation of influenza B and A (H3N2).
Tropical and subtropical
Latin America
Central America continues to report circulation of seasonal influenza viruses, especially influenza A (H3N2).
Asia
In Asia, the most active areas of influenza transmission are occurring in parts of India, predominantly 2009 H1N1? Any seasonal?. However, preliminary data suggests that the overall intensity and severity is lower than that observed during the first waves of 2009. Low levels of 2009 H1N1 activity are also being detected in several Southeast Asia countries, including Nepal and Bhutan.
Africa
Virologic data from South Africa suggests flu activity peaked in early July, mostly due to seasonal influenza B and A (H3N2) viruses. Sustained transmission of 2009 H1N1 was reported in Ghana during June and July 2010. In parts of Eastern Africa and Central Africa, data suggest that seasonal influenza A (H3N2) and B viruses continue to circulate. Low level circulation of influenza A (H3N2) has been reported in Kenya, and Cameroon has recently reported subsiding levels of influenza B.
Selected Highlights
- According to WHO, the majority of 2009 H1N1 virus isolates tested worldwide remains sensitive to oseltamivir, an antiviral medicine used to treat flu. Among 2009 H1N1 isolates tested worldwide, 302 have been found to be resistant to oseltamivir as of July 21st. Approximately 1% of U.S. 2009 H1N1 viruses tested by CDC since September 1, 2009, have been resistant to oseltamivir.
- Globally 51.1% of subtyped influenza A viruses were 2009 H1N1, according to WHO data collected from July 18-24, 2010, and reported on August 5th.
- On February 18, 2010, WHO published recommendations for the following viruses to be used for influenza vaccines in the 2010-2011 influenza season of the Northern Hemisphere:
- an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus;
- an A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus*;
- a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.
* A/Wisconsin/15/2009 is an A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus and is a 2010 Southern Hemisphere vaccine virus.
Health Organizations
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control)
- H2P (Humanitarian Pandemic Preparedness)
- Public Health Agency of Canada
World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Offices
- AFRO (WHO Regional Office for Africa)
- AMRO (WHO Regional Office for the Americas) / PAHO (Pan American Health Organization)
- EMRO (WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean)
- EURO (WHO Regional Office for Europe)
- SEARO (WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia)
- WPRO (WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific)
Travel and 2009 H1N1 Flu
Human cases of 2009 H1N1 flu virus infection have been identified in the United States and several countries around the world. For information on 2009 H1N1 flu and travel, see the CDC H1N1 Flu and Travel website.
Reports and Publications
- White House Report on 2009 H1N1 in the Southern Hemisphere
Issued August 2009 – This White House report was prepared by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in coordination with the Office of the Director for National Intelligence (ODNI) and the Department of State (Dos) and describes the characteristics and impact of 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus in the Southern Hemisphere. - ECDC Interim Risk Assessment Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Pandemic
Issued July 30, 2009 - This document provides an interim risk assessment of novel H1N1 flu in Europe prepared by ECDC. - World Health Organization Weekly Epidemiological record – Issued July 24, 2009
This document by WHO provides updates on the international novel H1N1 flu situation. - MMWR – Update: Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection – Mexico, March-May, 2009 – Issued June 5, 2009 / Vol. 58 / No. 21.
This Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report describes the novel influenza A (H1N1) outbreak in Mexico from March-May, 2009. - MMWR – Update: Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infections – Worldwide, May 6, 2009 – Issued May 8, 2009 / Vol. 58 / No. 17.
This Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report describes worldwide novel influenza A (H1N1) infections as of May 6, 2009.
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