  We study the global spatio-temporal patterns of influenza dynamics. This is
achieved by analysing and modelling weekly laboratory confirmed cases of
influenza A and B from 138 countries between January 2006 and May 2014. The
data were obtained from FluNet, the surveillance network compiled by the the
World Health Organization. We report a pattern of {\it skip-and-resurgence}
behavior between the years 2011 and 2013 for influenza H1N1/09, the strain
responsible for the 2009 pandemic, in Europe and Eastern Asia. In particular,
the expected H1N1/09 epidemic outbreak in 2011 failed to occur (or"skipped") in
many countries across the globe, although an outbreak occurred in the following
year. We also report a pattern of {\it well-synchronized} 2010 winter wave of
H1N1/09 in the Northern Hemisphere countries, and a pattern of replacement of
strain H1N1/77 by H1N1/09 between the 2009 and 2012 influenza seasons. Using
both a statistical and a mechanistic mathematical model, and through fitting
the data of 108 countries (108 countries in a statistical model and 10 large
populations with a mechanistic model), we discuss the mechanisms that are
likely to generate these events taking into account the role of multi-strain
dynamics. A basic understanding of these patterns has important public health
implications and scientific significance.
