Case rates of severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) in the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA) on these dates are similar to those observed during the same period last year; Although Spain and Germany reported increases in cases in the past three weeks in the 0-4 age group, according to a report by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
However, the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention explains that the current availability of disease severity data from SARI systems is limited, with only six countries reporting such data to the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention since the week of 27 September 2023.
In addition, it is important to note that a delay in reporting SARI data is expected, as some case-related information may not be available until after hospital discharge and clinical data collection.
Serious disease monitoring
Between the week of July 17 to October 25, 2023, an increase in pooled positivity of SARS-CoV-2 tests was observed among SARS cases in people aged 15 to 64 years and those over 65 years of age, with the picture varying across countries, with Only six countries reported data.
However, there has been a downward trend in these age groups since the aforementioned week of October 25, which can partly be attributed to reporting delays.
At EU/EEA level, unattended hospital admissions, ICU rates and death rates have gradually increased since the week of 4 September 2023, reflecting data reported by sentinel systems.
“The observed downward trend in Covid-19 unguarded hospital admissions, ICU rates and death rates over the past week or two is also likely attributable to delays in reporting,” the ECDC researchers concluded.
Data for influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus in Europe
In primary care, the proportion of acute respiratory infections caused by SARS-CoV-2 has remained high (more than 10%) since the week of 22 June this year, with a slight trend upward since the week of 27 September. In the week of 22 November, pooled test positivity in primary care was 24% (median 19%, data from 14 countries).
At the country level, increasing and decreasing trends in SARS-CoV-2 test positivity were observed during this period, indicating regional variation. “It is important to note that the size of sentinel systems and the number of tests vary significantly from one country to another, which affects the accuracy of trend analyses,” the European Center explained. However, these numbers are consistent with SARS-CoV-2 detections observed in respiratory samples collected outside sentinel surveillance centers.
In addition to Covid, infections caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have been increasing in recent weeks. Across the EU and EEA, the combined positivity of tests in primary care was 11% (median 3%, data from 12 countries) in the week beginning 22 November. Overall, RSV circulation intensified later than the previous year and positivity remains less than half the peak reached last year.
As for influenza, its activity remains at a low level, although qualitative assessments conducted by countries indicate an increase in the intensity of influenza activity and its geographic spread in several countries.
Overall, pooled test positivity in primary care was 4% in the week of 22 November (median 3%, data from 15 countries), with three countries (Estonia, Greece and Lithuania) exceeding 10% 100 positivity.
All three types/types of influenza viruses (A(H1)pdm09, A(H3), and B) share the same frequency. It is not yet possible to determine whether these initial increases mark the start of the 2023/24 influenza season, as there is no clear dominant subtype of the virus, and sustained increases over a sufficient number of weeks have not been confirmed.
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