Influenza, first 2 cases identified. Iss: “At the start of surveillance”

The first two cases of influenza of the 2021-2022 season have been identified in Italy. These are “two sporadic cases” linked to type A / H3 viruses, identified in the north of the country in two children, informs the Higher Institute of Health which announces the start of the activities of the InfluNet & surveillance network for Monday 18 October. CovidNet. A case of influenza A / H3 virus was identified in Varese and confirmed at the University of Milan in a child with flu symptoms, reports the ISS. Another case of influenza A / H3 virus was identified at the Amedeo di Savoia hospital in Turin in a child with pneumonia. Virological confirmations are underway by the ISS national reference laboratory on the second case identified in Turin, the Institute specifies. Therefore “the seasonal activities of the national integrated influenza surveillance system InfluNet start on October 18, as established by the InfluNet & CovidNet operating protocol. The document – explains the ISS – sets, as every year, the beginning and the end of the epidemiological survey respectively at the 42nd week of 2021 and at the 17th week of 2022. As regards the virological monitoring activities, the start is scheduled for the 46th week of 2021 (15 November 2021) and will last until the 17th week of 2022 . The data analysis will be carried out by the ISS “.