Epidemiological Alert, 2003-2004 Flu Season in North America, Circulation of Human Metapneumovirus in the United States; Call for Abstracts, International Conference of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Atlanta 2004: Deadline Extended (4 December 2003)

Abstract

In 2003-2004 season an increased influenza activity has been detected earlier than in previous seasons. The predominant virus circulating in North America is similar to A/ Fujian/411/2002. In the USA CDC has antigenically characterized 108 influenza A (H3N2) viruses and found that 19 (18%) were similar antigenically to the vaccine strain A/Panama/2007/99 (H3N2), and 89 (82%) were similar to the drift variant, A/Fujian/411/2002 (H3N2). In Canada 70% of the influenza viruses antigenetically characterized (n=87) corresponded to A/Fujian/411/02(H3N2)-like.

En la temporada 2003-2004 se ha detectado actividad de influenza incrementada con un inicio más temprano que en temporadas anteriores. En esta temporada el virus predominante que circula en Norteamérica es similar al A/Fujian/411/2002. En los EUA el 82% (n=108) de las muestras caracterizadas resultaron similares a esta cepa, y el 18% similares a la cepa vacunal A/Panama/2007/99. En Canadá el 70% (n=87) de las muestras caracterizadas correspondieron virus similares a la cepa A/Fujian/411/02 (H3N2).