Flu threat recedes – for now

A disease surveillance report by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) almost all EU countries recorded low influenza activity last week with the number of cases in decline for ten weeks in row.

Seasonal flu cases are now at their lowest level for several months, suggesting that “the peak has passed” in most parts of the continent. The ECDC said that Slovakia is the only country to record “medium activity”.

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The report comes as scientists, doctors, health officials and journalist prepare to gather for the EU Flu Summit which takes place in Brussels on May 23. The summit will feature a range of speakers from academia and health authorities in Europe and beyond and Vaccines Today will be on hand to record a new episode of our Vaccination Café video series.

This will be the second EU Flu Summit organised by the European Scientific Working group on Influenza (ESWI) and, on this occasion, features an innovative evening session called Science Inspired Tales which promise entertaining performances by three leading experts on influenza.

You can read the official ESWI report on last year’s Flu Summit here or take a look at our review of last year’s event.

In the meantime, check out ESWI’s documentary on fighting influenza in Europe.