Introduction to Group Work 2

1. Introduction to Group Work 2 Summary of Seasonal Influenza in the WPR Virological review

2. Group Work 2

3. Overall Comments • Many challenges noted which has resulted in the objectives of the review changing • The time period is too short to determine seasonality, particularly with the pandemic • Care needs to be taken not misrepresent countries/areas by being too generalised • countries/areas with small data sets are not being represented (see results for more information) • Tropics – no distinct seasonality except for a few countries • Need to create the paper with focus on public health significance (not publication) – at least to stimulate thinking of a regional goal and moving forward • Start with a WPRO map, define NH, Tropics and SH

4. Results Section • Consider getting another two year worth of data (2006-2007) or more, if feasible • Look at each predominate virus separately by type by zone • Put ILI and laboratory confirmed data on the same graph • If the purpose is for vaccine recommendation, include antigenic strains by zones • Discussion could then concentrate on matching circulating strain with vaccine match – if they don’t match, look into how this can improved in the future.

5. Results • Use % of positivity rather than number of positive cases • Map to show antigenic strains and how they move, year by year in the region • Include data on antiviral susceptibly, sequence/genetic data, antigenic information, hospital based ARI admissions and mortality

6. Discussion Section • How we can use the data and lessons learnt • Paper is challenging, however there is value is presenting it as a region (with regional goal/vision of 201X in mind) • Use paper to put forward recommendations for future data improvements • Perhaps annual NIC reports using a standardized format, after 5 years it is easy to report on this information • Templates and harmonised case definitions will assist data collection