Europe's ability to detect novel H3N2 found wanting, ECDC says

CIDRAP, December 14, 2011

Europe has not detected the triple-reassortant H3N2 swine-origin (trH3N2) viruses that have been detected in U.S. residents, but its ability to detect them is lacking, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said in a risk assessment update on the situation yesterday. In the update, which notes the 11th U.S. case of trH3N2 infection that was confirmed by CDC officials Dec 9, the agency says that no such viruses have been detected in European pigs. It does describe, however, "weak veterinary surveillance for influenza throughout the EU." The trH3N2 found in the United States contains genetic material from the 2009 H1N1 flu virus. The ECDC also says that Europe has good capacity to detect the novel virus as influenza A viruses but has "restricted capability to subtype these viruses." The agency adds, "Therefore it is important that all these viruses should be sent to the WHO Collaborating Centre in London." The update says Europe is fine-tuning detection protocols to better subtype flu viruses and is assessing EU reference labs about their capabilities and strategies.

ECDC update: http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications/Publications/111213_TER_swine-origin_viruses_in_north_america.pdf

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