Influenza Virus Net is the web resource for anyone interested in influenza and flu pandemics. Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae (the influenza viruses), that affects humans, birds and other mammals. The virus spreads easily from person to person. Influenza circulates worldwide and can affect anybody in any age group. Influenza causes annual epidemics that peak during winter in temperate regions. Influenza is a serious public health problem that causes severe illnesses and deaths for higher risk populations. The most common symptoms of the disease are chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness/fatigue and general discomfort. Sore throat, fever and coughs are the most frequent symptoms. In more serious cases, influenza causes pneumonia, which can be fatal, particularly for the young and the elderly. An influenza epidemic can take an economic toll through lost workforce productivity, and strain health services. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infection.

The objectives of Influenza Virus Net are to be the public and professional information resource for influenza and to serve as a network in the exchange of information and news related to influenza.

• Influenza expected to make a comeback; vaccinations urged - UMass Medical School
  Wed, 13 Oct 2021 14:45 GMT
• Surveillance, prevention of COVID-19 and seasonal influenza in Europe - News-Medical.Net
  Mon, 18 Oct 2021 07:11 GMT
• Lifting COVID-19 restrictions could lead to a large flu outbreak - Medical News Today
  Sun, 17 Oct 2021 07:34 GMT
• Worst cold ever, flu or covid-19? Countries brace for influenza and pandemic. - The Washington Post
  Wed, 13 Oct 2021 13:45 GMT
• Influenza Virus Is Primed for Continual Emergence and Pandemic Potential - Contagionlive.com
  Mon, 11 Oct 2021 13:17 GMT
• Influenza vaccine: FDA approves Flucelvax Quadrivalent for children as young as six months old - Outbreak News Today - Outbreak News Today
  Sun, 17 Oct 2021 22:28 GMT
• Cell-based influenza vaccine provides protection against the flu in children - Science Daily
  Thu, 14 Oct 2021 14:03 GMT
• Influenza is on the rise; how do I prevent it? - World Health Organization
  Fri, 01 Oct 2021 07:00 GMT
• Few Influenza Cases Last Year Could Have Implications For This Season - Wisconsin Public Radio News
  Thu, 30 Sep 2021 07:00 GMT
• Even in Shadow of COVID-19, Influenza Poses Pandemic Threat - Infection Control Today
  Tue, 12 Oct 2021 17:56 GMT
• National Survey Finds Low Interest in Influenza Vaccination - Contagionlive.com
  Sat, 16 Oct 2021 13:35 GMT
• Are we heading toward a COVID-19 and flu 'twindemic' this season? - Medical News Today
  Tue, 28 Sep 2021 07:00 GMT
• China kicks off seasonal influenza vaccination - SHINE News - SHINE
  Mon, 18 Oct 2021 09:17 GMT
• Surging or Shackled? Flu Season Could Go Either Way - Infection Control Today
  Wed, 22 Sep 2021 07:00 GMT
• China Warns Of 'Twindemic' Risk Of Influenza, Imported Covid Cases - NDTV
  Sun, 17 Oct 2021 13:02 GMT

• PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (116): Europe (Russia) zoo, wild bird, backyard, HPAI H5N1, OIE
  Mon, 20 Sep 2021 15:46:50 -0400
  Avian Influenza H5N1 -- Russia
  Summary
  Report type: immediate notification
  Started: 27 Aug 2021
  Confirmed: 2 Sep 2021
  Reported: 15 Sep 2021
  Reason for notification: recurrence
  Last occurrence: 13 Dec 2020
  Causal agent: highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
  Serotype: H5N1
  Nature of diagnosis: clinical, laboratory
  This event pertains to a defined zone within the country.
  New outbreaks (3)
  Summary of outbreaks
  Total outbreaks (3)
  Outbreak location 1: Zateryanny mir, Chelyabinsk gorsovet,


• PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza, human (20): Cambodia (SI) H9N2
  Sun, 19 Sep 2021 19:23:42 -0400
  Avian Influenza -- Cambodia
  Abstract
  ---------
  In February 2021, routine sentinel surveillance for influenza-like illness in Cambodia detected a human avian influenza A(H9N2) virus infection. Investigations identified no recent H9N2 virus infections in 43 close contacts. One chicken sample from the infected child's house was positive for H9N2 virus and genetically similar to the human virus.
  --
  Communicated by:
  Jurre Siegers
  Institute Pasteur du Cambodge
  
  [ProMED thanks Jurre Siegers for sharing the early

• Experimental infection of ostriches with H7N1 low pathogenic and H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4B highly pathogenic influenza A viruses Sun, 17 Oct 2021 06:00:00 -0400
  Infection dynamics data for influenza A virus in a species is important for understanding host-pathogen interactions and developing effective control strategies. Seven-week-old ostriches challenged with H7N1 low pathogenic viruses (LPAIV) or clade 2.3.4.4B H5N8 high pathogenic viruses (HPAIV) were co- housed with non-challenged contacts. Clinical signs, virus shed in the trachea, cloaca, and feather pulp, and antibody responses were quantified over 14 days. H7N1 LPAIV-infected ostriches remained...
• Impact and fungitoxic spectrum of Trachyspermum ammi against Candida albicans, an opportunistic pathogenic fungus commonly found in human gut that causes Candidiasis infection Sun, 17 Oct 2021 06:00:00 -0400
  CONCLUSION: Overall, the findings revealed that Ajwain methanolic crude extract has antifungal activity against C. albicans; however, that further needs to be established at molecular level.
• Comment on: The impact of bariatric surgery on the risk of hospitalization due to influenza virus infection Sun, 17 Oct 2021 06:00:00 -0400
  No abstract
• A case report: ruptured popliteal aneurysm caused by Haemophilus influenzae infection Sat, 16 Oct 2021 06:00:00 -0400
  Mycotic aneurysms arise from infection of an arterial wall secondary to septic emboli from endocarditis. Although rare, most mycotic aneurysms involve the abdominal aorta, with Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella spp being the most common causative organisms. We report a case of an 81-year-old woman with a ruptured mycotic popliteal aneurysm from Haemophilus influenzae infection.
• Severe Influenza Virus Infection in Children Admitted to the PICU: Comparison of Influenza A and Influenza B Virus Infection Sat, 16 Oct 2021 06:00:00 -0400
  Although the influenza virus usually causes a self-limiting disease, deaths are reported even in children without risk factors. We aimed to identify clinical features, mortality associated with severe Influenza A and B virus infections of children admitted PICU. We conducted a retrospective study in children with confirmed influenza infection between 2012-2019 who were admitted to PICU. Demographic features, risk factors, clinical data, microbiological data, complications and outcomes were...
• Impact of the introduction of EUCAST's concept of "area of technical uncertainty" Sat, 16 Oct 2021 06:00:00 -0400
  On the first of January 2019, the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing, EUCAST, introduced the concept of "area of technical uncertainty" (ATU). The aim was to report on the incidence of ATU test results in a selection of common bacterial species and the subsequent impact on antimicrobial resistance categorization and workload. A retrospective analysis of clinical samples collected from February 2019 until November 2019 was performed. Susceptibility to...
• Occurrence of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) meningitis in a 2 month-old infant in the Hib vaccination era Sat, 16 Oct 2021 06:00:00 -0400
  No abstract
• COVID-19 border controls prevent a 2021 seasonal influenza epidemic in New Zealand Sat, 16 Oct 2021 06:00:00 -0400
  No abstract
• Single and multiple dose pharmacokinetics and safety of ZSP1273, an RNA polymerase PB2 protein inhibitor of the influenza A virus: A Phase 1 double-blind study in healthy subjects Sat, 16 Oct 2021 06:00:00 -0400
  CONCLUSIONS: ZSP1273 was safe in healthy volunteers. Based on the preclinical resuilts, safety profile and PK characteristics of ZSP1273, the dose of ZSP1273 (≥200 mg) may be used for future clinical trials in influenza patients.
• Diagnostic performance of the Idylla respiratory panel for molecular detection of influenza A/B in patients presenting to primary care with influenza-like illness during 3 consecutive influenza seasons Fri, 15 Oct 2021 06:00:00 -0400
  CONCLUSIONS: The Idylla Respiratory Panel is a promising point-of-care test for detection of IFV in ILI patients due to its excellent diagnostic performance, minimal training requirements and limited hands-on time.