Abstract
We describe the burden of influenza B infections in Scotland during a 13-year study period. Influenza A and B viruses cocirculated throughout the period, with numbers of influenza B cases approaching or exceeding those of influenza A during six influenza seasons. Influenza B viruses of both Victoria and Yamagata lineage were detected in two of six seasons investigated. For the 2012/13 season, influenza B accounted for 44.4% of all influenzas, with the highest incidence in those under the age of five years. Influenza B virus infections led to fewer admissions to an intensive care unit (ICU) and a lower mortality rate than influenza A (37 vs 81 ICU admissions and three vs 29 deaths) during the 2012/13 season. However, a quarter of those admitted to ICU with influenza B had not been immunised and 60% had not received specific influenza antiviral therapy. This highlights the need for consistent influenza vaccination and prompt usage of antiviral treatment for identified risk groups. Combining the newly introduced vaccination programme for children with the use of a tetravalent vaccine may provide the opportunity to improve the control of influenza B in those with the highest influenza B burden, children and young adolescents.
Highlights
Both influenza A and B viruses show antigenic variation with sequence variability in the haemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N) genes, altering neutralising properties and protection from reinfection [1]
In order to improve our understanding of the burden and epidemiology of influenza B, we have reviewed the influenza B viruses circulating in Scotland over the period 2000 to 2013 and estimated the clinical burden of influenza B virus infections in more detail for the season 2012/13
Influenza A and B viruses cocirculated during most influenza seasons, with numbers of influenza B infections approaching or exceeding those of influenza A virus during six seasons (2000/01, 2002/03, 2005/06, 2007/08, 2010/11 and 2012/13)
Summary
Both influenza A and B viruses show antigenic variation with sequence variability in the haemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N) genes, altering neutralising properties and protection from reinfection [1]. They differ in the dynamics of turnover of antigenic variants and in their propensity for reassortment [2]. Because several influenza variants are present in the same season, influenza vaccines currently in use in the United Kingdom (UK) and elsewhere in Europe are trivalent, containing two influenza A subtypes (H1N1 and H3N2) and one influenza B lineage It provides only limited immunity against the influenza B strains of the other lineage [4]
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Schedule a callMore From: Euro surveillance : bulletin Europeen sur les maladies transmissibles = European communicable disease bulletin
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