Summary of the influenza 2015–2016 season in Europe
The 2015-2016 influenza season has come to an end in Europe, with almost all countries now reporting low influenza activity for a number of weeks. The season started in EU/EEA countries in week 52/2015, with the Netherlands reporting regional spread, while Sweden reported widespread activity. The season lasted for 22 weeks until week 20/2016, when the positivity rate dropped to 11%. The peak of the season - with the highest proportion of specimens tested positive (53%) - occurred in week 11/2016.
Summary of the influenza 2014–2015 season in Europe
Increased influenza activity started in week 51/2014 this season when the percentage of influenza positive laboratory tests crossed the 10% threshold. The season lasted for 21 weeks until week 19/2015, when the positivity rate dropped below 10%. The peak of the season - with the highest proportion of specimens tested positive (55%) - occurred in week 07/2015. The peak varied between countries, occurring in week 04/2015 in Bulgaria and Portugal, and between weeks 05/2015 and 08/2015 in most central European countries.
Summary of the influenza 2013–2014 season in Europe
Active circulation of influenza has started late in Europe in the 2013-2014 season, with a different timing across EU/EEA countries, states the annual ECDC risk assessment on seasonal influenza. The first countries affected have been Bulgaria, Greece, Portugal and Spain, where the A(H1)pdm09 influenza virus has dominated. Without any specific geographic pattern, influenza activity has since spread rapidly across Europe. In Bulgaria, Portugal and Spain, the season peaked in weeks 4 and 5/2014, while influenza activity still continues to increase in Greece.
Summary of the influenza 2012–2013 season in the WHO European region
The 2012–2013 influenza season was of a slightly longer duration than the 2011–2012 season, starting around week 48/2012, peaking around week 5/2013 and lasting until week 16/2013.