Vigilancia de gripe en España. Resumen de la temporada 2014-2015 semanas 40/201-08/2015 (29/septiembre/2014 al 22/febrero/2015)

Since the beginning of the 2014-15 season up to week 08/2015, the influenza activity in Spain has been moderate and dominated by influenza A(H3N2) viruses with an epidemic peak in 05/2015 week. Children under 15 years old have been the most affected. Nineteen laboratory-confirmed influenza outbreaks were reported in eight CCAA, 10 in long-term care facilities and eight in hospital settings, the majority of them were caused by influenza A(H3N2) virus. The 62% of genetically characterised influenza A(H3N2) viruses belong to subgroups distinct from the recommended vaccine-strain of the 2014–2015 season. A total of 1,221 severe hospitalized laboratory-confirmed influenza cases (SHCIC) were reported, including 143 deaths. Over 50% of SHCIC of adults ≥65 years of age were mostly influenza A(H3N2). The 32% of cases were admitted to ICU and 50% of target groups for vaccination cases had received seasonal influenza vaccine. Excess all-cause mortality has been observed since the beginning of the year 2015 among people aged 65 years and older, concomitant with the period of maximum influenza activity. In the northern hemisphere, influenza activity remained moderate with influenza A(H3N2) viruses predominating in Europe and North America. In the southern hemisphere, influenza activity remained at inter-seasonal levels