International Notes
Update: Influenza Activity -- Worldwide -- and Influenza Vaccine
Availability -- United States
UPDATE
In 1988, influenza-like illness worldwide has been associated with
all
three virus types--A(H3N2), A(H1N1) and B. Different viruses
predominated in different countries.
Oceania. In New Zealand, where influenza activity has been greater
than in recent years, activity began in April and peaked in June.
Virus
isolates have been almost exclusively type A(H3N2). Persons of all
ages
have been infected, and one influenza- associated death has been
confirmed. In Australia, type A(H1N1) virus predominated; in
western
Australia, type A(H3N2) virus has also been isolated. In Fiji,
outbreaks of influenza type A(H1N1) during August were reported.
Asia. In June, outbreaks of influenza A(H1N1) occurred among
schoolchildren in southern China. In addition, Hong Kong and
Singapore
reported sporadic cases of all types of influenza in children and
adults. The Republic of Korea, which reported outbreaks of all
types of
influenza in Seoul earlier this year, has reported only sporadic
cases
since April. Taiwan, where type B virus was reported early in the
year,
reported localized outbreaks of type A(H1N1) virus in June and
July.
South America. Chile and Uruguay have reported widespread
influenza
A(H3N2) activity that began in May and peaked in June. In Uruguay,
influenza B was also isolated in June. Argentina and Panama
reported
influenza type B isolates from June through August; however, since
mid-September, Panama has reported serologically confirmed
influenza
A(H3N2). Viral isolations are pending.
Europe and United States. Influenza has been isolated in Europe
and
the United States throughout the summer. England reported an
outbreak
of influenza A(H3N2) among young men in a military unit in July,
and
Czechoslovakia reported type A(H1N1) virus activity in June. In the
United States, influenza B isolates were reported from Arizona
during
June, July, and August and from Texas in late July. Type A(H1N1)
virus
was isolated from a child with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in
Washington,
D.C., in late July.
INFLUENZA VACCINE AVAILABILITY--UNITED STATES
Production of the trivalent influenza vaccine for the 1988-89
season
has been delayed because of decreased growth of at least one of the
constituent strains of the influenza viruses. The reduced rate of
vaccine production has resulted in a 4-6-week delay in vaccine
distribution for some areas. However, each of the three vaccine
manufacturers expect to complete distribution of orders by late
October. Health-care providers and public health departments should
ensure that priority is given to targeting vaccination activities
toward persons at high risk for influenza-associated complications
(1).
Reported by: National Influenza Centers. Communicable Diseases Div,
World Health Organization, Geneva. Participating state and
territorial
epidemiologists and state laboratory directors. Office of
Biologics,
Div of Virology, Food and Drug Administration. WHO Collaborating
Center
for Influenza, Influenza Br, and Epidemiology Office, Div of Viral
Diseases, Center for Infectious Diseases; Div of Immunization,
Center
for Prevention Svcs, CDC.
Reference
Immunization Practices Advisory Committee. Prevention and
control
of influenza. MMWR 1988;37:361-4,369-73.
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