Infokiri
| Dokumendiregister | Terviseamet |
| Viit | 8.1-2/24/8276-1 |
| Registreeritud | 14.08.2024 |
| Sünkroonitud | 15.08.2024 |
| Liik | Sissetulev dokument |
| Funktsioon | 8.1 Nakkushaiguste seire, ennetuse ja tõrje korraldamine |
| Sari | 8.1-2 Nakkushaiguste epidemioloogiaalane riigiväline kirjavahetus |
| Toimik | 8.1-2/2024 |
| Juurdepääsupiirang | Avalik |
| Juurdepääsupiirang | |
| Adressaat | EURO Influenza |
| Saabumis/saatmisviis | EURO Influenza |
| Vastutaja | Olga Sadikova (TA, Peadirektori asetäitja (1) vastutusvaldkond, Nakkushaiguste epidemioloogia osakond, Gripikeskus) |
| Originaal | Ava uues aknas |
Failid
Tähelepanu! Tegemist on väljastpoolt asutust saabunud kirjaga. Tundmatu saatja korral palume linke ja faile mitte avada.
Development of sentinel respiratory virus surveillance systems in the WHO European Region following two pandemics, 2008-2023
Authors
Mook P, Fielding J, Hegermann-Lindencrone M, Jorgensen P, Katz M, Leroy M, Mesle M, Nahapetyan K, Pebody RG, Widdowson MA
Affiliations
1World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe
Abstract (300 words max)
Introduction
Sentinel surveillance provides objective measures of respiratory disease activity, risk factors and severity, a source of viruses to inform vaccine composition, and a platform for vaccine effectiveness and burden estimation. Such systems designed for influenza were challenged by the A(H1N1)pdm09 and SARS-CoV-2 pandemics. We reviewed the evolution of respiratory virus surveillance over 15 years among 54 countries, areas and territories (CATs) in the WHO European Region.
Methods
We summarized indicators of respiratory surveillance capacity in 2008 and 2023 using surveys completed by CATs and complemented with counts of CATs with National Influenza Centres (NIC) and total number of specimens from outpatient sentinel sites tested annually.
Results
Between 2008 and 2023, the number of CATs with outpatient or inpatient sentinel respiratory surveillance sites increased from 27 to 50 and 4 to 33, respectively. Of 30 CATs with a start date of inpatient surveillance systems, 4 developed systems before the 2009 pandemic, 17 CATs (predominantly non-European Union (EU)) developed systems between 2009 and 2016 and 9 CATs (predominantly EU) developed systems after the COVID-19 pandemic began. As of 2023, 40/50 CATs tested outpatient specimens for SARS-CoV-2 and 40/50 for RSV, while 24/33 and 27/33 CATs tested inpatient specimens for SARS-CoV-2 and RSV, respectively. The number of CATs with a designated NIC increased from 38 in 2008 to 47 in 2023. The annual number of outpatient specimens tested for influenza ranged from ∼36,000 to ∼56,000 except for the 2009/2010 and 2021/2022 winters (67,608 and 120,164, respectively).
Conclusions
Sentinel surveillance capacity in the WHO European Region increased substantially over 15 years. However, consideration of surveillance gaps and challenges (e.g. case definitions, target populations and testing algorithms) and opportunities for expansion, enhancement and integration of sentinel and complementary systems to address surveillance objectives for influenza, SARS-CoV-2, RSV and a respiratory Disease X remains necessary.
Authors
Mook P, Fielding J, Hegermann-Lindencrone M, Jorgensen P, Katz M, Leroy M, Mesle M, Nahapetyan K, Pebody RG, Widdowson MA
Affiliations
1World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe
Abstract (300 words max)
Introduction
Sentinel surveillance provides objective measures of respiratory disease activity, risk factors and severity, a source of viruses to inform vaccine composition, and a platform for vaccine effectiveness and burden estimation. Such systems designed for influenza were challenged by the A(H1N1)pdm09 and SARS-CoV-2 pandemics. We reviewed the evolution of respiratory virus surveillance over 15 years among 54 countries, areas and territories (CATs) in the WHO European Region.
Methods
We summarized indicators of respiratory surveillance capacity in 2008 and 2023 using surveys completed by CATs and complemented with counts of CATs with National Influenza Centres (NIC) and total number of specimens from outpatient sentinel sites tested annually.
Results
Between 2008 and 2023, the number of CATs with outpatient or inpatient sentinel respiratory surveillance sites increased from 27 to 50 and 4 to 33, respectively. Of 30 CATs with a start date of inpatient surveillance systems, 4 developed systems before the 2009 pandemic, 17 CATs (predominantly non-European Union (EU)) developed systems between 2009 and 2016 and 9 CATs (predominantly EU) developed systems after the COVID-19 pandemic began. As of 2023, 40/50 CATs tested outpatient specimens for SARS-CoV-2 and 40/50 for RSV, while 24/33 and 27/33 CATs tested inpatient specimens for SARS-CoV-2 and RSV, respectively. The number of CATs with a designated NIC increased from 38 in 2008 to 47 in 2023. The annual number of outpatient specimens tested for influenza ranged from ∼36,000 to ∼56,000 except for the 2009/2010 and 2021/2022 winters (67,608 and 120,164, respectively).
Conclusions
Sentinel surveillance capacity in the WHO European Region increased substantially over 15 years. However, consideration of surveillance gaps and challenges (e.g. case definitions, target populations and testing algorithms) and opportunities for expansion, enhancement and integration of sentinel and complementary systems to address surveillance objectives for influenza, SARS-CoV-2, RSV and a respiratory Disease X remains necessary.
Далее следует текст на русском языке / This message follows in Russian
Dear Colleagues
Please be aware of two abstracts that have been accepted for poster presentations at the OPTIONS XII conference, Brisbane, 29 September to 2 October using surveillance and country profile data from EURO countries and areas, attached (in English only) and as described below.
- Development of sentinel respiratory virus surveillance systems in the WHO European Region following two pandemics, 2008-2023
- Landscape piece on sentinel surveillance based largely on respiratory viruses surveillance country profile data.
- Retrospective correlation analysis between SARS-CoV-2 test positivity data from sentinel and universal system reported to WHO at the country, area or territory level, January 2020-June 2022
- Developed by colleagues in WHO/Geneva eGISRS team using data that is transferred by the WHO/EURO team from TESSy to WHO global surveillance platform on a weekly basis. No specific countries data will be shown in the poster.
For the posters, we will ensure that the key activities of countries, making these pieces possible, will be fully acknowledged and we will share them in due course.
If these pieces are subsequently developed into manuscripts, they will also be shared with network focal points for input and authorship will represent the network (potentially as a group authorship).
FYI, Based on data collected from sites in the European SARI Vaccine Effectiveness Network (Euro-SAVE), there is also a poster to be presented at OPTIONS on �Comparing outcomes of COVID-19 and influenza among hospitalized patients in five countries and areas in the European Severe Acute Respiratory Infection Vaccine Effectiveness Network, 2021-2024’, also attached.
As ever, many thanks for submissions of data to TESSy and updates to respiratory virus surveillance country profiles!
All the best
WHO/EURO respiratory virus surveillance team
*******************************************************************************
Уважаемые коллеги!
Обращаем ваше внимание на два материала, принятые для представления в виде стендовых докладов на конференции OPTIONS XII по борьбе с гриппом, которая пройдет в Брисбене с 29 сентября по 2 октября. Авторы использовали данные о характеристиках эпиднадзора в странах и территориях Европейского региона ВОЗ. Аннотации прилагаются (только на английском языке). Краткое описание:
- Развитие систем дозорного эпиднадзора за респираторными вирусными инфекциями в Европейском регионе ВОЗ после двух пандемий, 2008–2023 гг.
- Обзор ситуации с дозорным эпиднадзором преимущественно по данным о характеристиках эпиднадзора за респираторными вирусными инфекциями в странах
- Ретроспективный корреляционный анализ данных о доле положительных тестов на SARS-CoV-2 из систем дозорного и сплошного эпиднадзора, полученных ВОЗ в рамках отчетности на уровне стран, областей или территорий, январь 2020 г. – июнь 2022 г.
- Разработан коллегами РёР· РіСЂСѓРїРїС‹ Р’РћР— РІ Женеве РїРѕ расширенной ГСРГО СЃ использованием данных, которые ЕРБ Р’РћР— еженедельно передает РёР· TESSy РЅР° глобальную платформу эпиднадзора Р’РћР—. Данные РїРѕ конкретным странам РІ стендовой презентации представлены РЅРµ Р±СѓРґСѓС‚.
Что касается стендовых презентаций, то мы примем все меры для того, чтобы вклад стран, без участия которых подготовка этих материалов была бы невозможной, был в полной мере признан, и своевременно распространим информацию о проделанной ими работе.
Если на основе указанных материалов будут готовиться статьи для публикации, рукописи будут направлены координаторам сети для сбора комментариев, а в качестве авторов будут указаны участники сети (возможно, в форме группового авторства).
Обращаем внимание РЅР° то, что РЅР° РѕСЃРЅРѕРІРµ данных, собранных участниками Европейской сети РїРѕ оценке эффективности вакцин против РўРћР Р? (Euro-SAVE), был подготовлен стендовый доклад «Сравнение РёСЃС…РѕРґРѕРІ COVID-19 Рё РіСЂРёРїРїР° среди госпитализированных пациентов РІ пяти странах Рё областях Европейской сети РїРѕ оценке эффективности вакцин против РўРћР Р?, 2021–2024 РіРі.В» (прилагается), который также будет представлен РЅР° конференции OPTIONS.
Как всегда, искренне благодарим за вашу работу по предоставлению данных в TESSy и обновлению сведений о характеристиках эпиднадзора за респираторными вирусными инфекциями в странах!
С уважением,
группа ЕРБ ВОЗ по эпиднадзору за респираторными вирусными инфекциями
Tähelepanu! Tegemist on väljastpoolt asutust saabunud kirjaga. Tundmatu saatja korral palume linke ja faile mitte avada.
Development of sentinel respiratory virus surveillance systems in the WHO European Region following two pandemics, 2008-2023
Authors
Mook P, Fielding J, Hegermann-Lindencrone M, Jorgensen P, Katz M, Leroy M, Mesle M, Nahapetyan K, Pebody RG, Widdowson MA
Affiliations
1World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe
Abstract (300 words max)
Introduction
Sentinel surveillance provides objective measures of respiratory disease activity, risk factors and severity, a source of viruses to inform vaccine composition, and a platform for vaccine effectiveness and burden estimation. Such systems designed for influenza were challenged by the A(H1N1)pdm09 and SARS-CoV-2 pandemics. We reviewed the evolution of respiratory virus surveillance over 15 years among 54 countries, areas and territories (CATs) in the WHO European Region.
Methods
We summarized indicators of respiratory surveillance capacity in 2008 and 2023 using surveys completed by CATs and complemented with counts of CATs with National Influenza Centres (NIC) and total number of specimens from outpatient sentinel sites tested annually.
Results
Between 2008 and 2023, the number of CATs with outpatient or inpatient sentinel respiratory surveillance sites increased from 27 to 50 and 4 to 33, respectively. Of 30 CATs with a start date of inpatient surveillance systems, 4 developed systems before the 2009 pandemic, 17 CATs (predominantly non-European Union (EU)) developed systems between 2009 and 2016 and 9 CATs (predominantly EU) developed systems after the COVID-19 pandemic began. As of 2023, 40/50 CATs tested outpatient specimens for SARS-CoV-2 and 40/50 for RSV, while 24/33 and 27/33 CATs tested inpatient specimens for SARS-CoV-2 and RSV, respectively. The number of CATs with a designated NIC increased from 38 in 2008 to 47 in 2023. The annual number of outpatient specimens tested for influenza ranged from ∼36,000 to ∼56,000 except for the 2009/2010 and 2021/2022 winters (67,608 and 120,164, respectively).
Conclusions
Sentinel surveillance capacity in the WHO European Region increased substantially over 15 years. However, consideration of surveillance gaps and challenges (e.g. case definitions, target populations and testing algorithms) and opportunities for expansion, enhancement and integration of sentinel and complementary systems to address surveillance objectives for influenza, SARS-CoV-2, RSV and a respiratory Disease X remains necessary.
Authors
Mook P, Fielding J, Hegermann-Lindencrone M, Jorgensen P, Katz M, Leroy M, Mesle M, Nahapetyan K, Pebody RG, Widdowson MA
Affiliations
1World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe
Abstract (300 words max)
Introduction
Sentinel surveillance provides objective measures of respiratory disease activity, risk factors and severity, a source of viruses to inform vaccine composition, and a platform for vaccine effectiveness and burden estimation. Such systems designed for influenza were challenged by the A(H1N1)pdm09 and SARS-CoV-2 pandemics. We reviewed the evolution of respiratory virus surveillance over 15 years among 54 countries, areas and territories (CATs) in the WHO European Region.
Methods
We summarized indicators of respiratory surveillance capacity in 2008 and 2023 using surveys completed by CATs and complemented with counts of CATs with National Influenza Centres (NIC) and total number of specimens from outpatient sentinel sites tested annually.
Results
Between 2008 and 2023, the number of CATs with outpatient or inpatient sentinel respiratory surveillance sites increased from 27 to 50 and 4 to 33, respectively. Of 30 CATs with a start date of inpatient surveillance systems, 4 developed systems before the 2009 pandemic, 17 CATs (predominantly non-European Union (EU)) developed systems between 2009 and 2016 and 9 CATs (predominantly EU) developed systems after the COVID-19 pandemic began. As of 2023, 40/50 CATs tested outpatient specimens for SARS-CoV-2 and 40/50 for RSV, while 24/33 and 27/33 CATs tested inpatient specimens for SARS-CoV-2 and RSV, respectively. The number of CATs with a designated NIC increased from 38 in 2008 to 47 in 2023. The annual number of outpatient specimens tested for influenza ranged from ∼36,000 to ∼56,000 except for the 2009/2010 and 2021/2022 winters (67,608 and 120,164, respectively).
Conclusions
Sentinel surveillance capacity in the WHO European Region increased substantially over 15 years. However, consideration of surveillance gaps and challenges (e.g. case definitions, target populations and testing algorithms) and opportunities for expansion, enhancement and integration of sentinel and complementary systems to address surveillance objectives for influenza, SARS-CoV-2, RSV and a respiratory Disease X remains necessary.
Comparing outcomes of COVID-19 and influenza among hospitalized patients in five countries and areas in the European Severe Acute Respiratory Infection Vaccine Effectiveness Network, 2021-2024
Background
Understanding changing COVID-19 severity can guide public health interventions in the post-pandemic period. We compared in-hospital severity of COVID-19 to influenza among hospitalized severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) patients in European SARI Vaccine Effectiveness (EuroSAVE) Network, which includes five countries and areas (Albania, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, North Macedonia, and Kosovo*).
Methods
We included patients admitted to 24 hospitals from December 2021 – March 2024 who met the WHO SARI case definition. All patients had a respiratory specimen collected and tested for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza by RT-PCR. We employed a cohort study design and calculated the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for severe outcome (ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, or in-hospital death) and in-hospital death by virus test result. We used logistic regression, adjusting for baseline patient characteristics. Influenza-positive patients were the reference group. We grouped SARS-CoV-2 patients by hospital admission date: Period (P)1 (6 December 2021- 18 December 2022); P2 (19 December 2022- 9 July 2023); and P3 (10 July 2023- 16 March 2024).
Results
Of the 5,800 patients included, 2,991 (52%) were male, 3,488 (60%) were ≥ 60 years old, 514 (8%) were influenza-positive, and 876 (15%) were SARS-CoV-2-positive. The aOR for severe outcomes among SARS-CoV-2-positive patients was 1.97 (95% CI 1.33-2.95) in P1, 2.63 (95% CI 1.66-4.17) in P2, and 1.88 (95% CI 1.01-3.39) in P3. The aOR for death among SARS CoV-2-positive patients was 3.45 (95% CI 1.92-6.59) in P1, 1.45 (95% CI 0.60-3.36) in P2, and 1.98 (95% CI 0.78-4.76) in P3.
Conclusions
SARS-CoV-2-positive SARI patients were more likely to have severe outcomes compared to influenza-positive SARI patients for all periods, including the post-pandemic period. The odds of death for SARS-CoV-2 patients was highest in the earliest period. These results underscore the continued need for COVID-19-related public health interventions, including up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination.
Authors
A. Gimma¹, E. Kureta², O. Tarkhan-Mouravi³, B. Kryeziu⁴, E. Jancheska⁵, D. Otorbaeva⁶, J. Sulo⁷, K. Zhakhashvili⁸, I. Humolii⁹, K. Kirkovik Kolevska¹⁰, A. Ryspaev¹¹, S. Cohuet¹², J. Humphreys¹², A. Rose¹², J. Fielding ¹, P. Mook¹, M. Widdowson¹, O. Artemchuk¹, I. Finci¹, M. Katz ¹
¹ WHO Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
² Institute of Public Health, Albania
³ National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Georgia
⁴ National Institute of Public Health, Prishtina, Kosovo*
⁵ Institute of Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia
⁶ Department for Disease Prevention and State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance, Kyrgyzstan
⁷ Institute of Public Health, Albania
⁸ National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Georgia
⁹ World Health Organization Liaison Office, Kosovo*
¹⁰ Institute of Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia
¹¹ Laboratory of Molecular Genetic Research, Kyrgyzstan
¹² Epiconcept, France
*For the purposes of this abstract, all references to “Kosovo” should be understood as “Kosovo (in accordance with security council resolution 1244 (1999)).”
Background
Understanding changing COVID-19 severity can guide public health interventions in the post-pandemic period. We compared in-hospital severity of COVID-19 to influenza among hospitalized severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) patients in European SARI Vaccine Effectiveness (EuroSAVE) Network, which includes five countries and areas (Albania, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, North Macedonia, and Kosovo*).
Methods
We included patients admitted to 24 hospitals from December 2021 – March 2024 who met the WHO SARI case definition. All patients had a respiratory specimen collected and tested for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza by RT-PCR. We employed a cohort study design and calculated the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for severe outcome (ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, or in-hospital death) and in-hospital death by virus test result. We used logistic regression, adjusting for baseline patient characteristics. Influenza-positive patients were the reference group. We grouped SARS-CoV-2 patients by hospital admission date: Period (P)1 (6 December 2021- 18 December 2022); P2 (19 December 2022- 9 July 2023); and P3 (10 July 2023- 16 March 2024).
Results
Of the 5,800 patients included, 2,991 (52%) were male, 3,488 (60%) were ≥ 60 years old, 514 (8%) were influenza-positive, and 876 (15%) were SARS-CoV-2-positive. The aOR for severe outcomes among SARS-CoV-2-positive patients was 1.97 (95% CI 1.33-2.95) in P1, 2.63 (95% CI 1.66-4.17) in P2, and 1.88 (95% CI 1.01-3.39) in P3. The aOR for death among SARS CoV-2-positive patients was 3.45 (95% CI 1.92-6.59) in P1, 1.45 (95% CI 0.60-3.36) in P2, and 1.98 (95% CI 0.78-4.76) in P3.
Conclusions
SARS-CoV-2-positive SARI patients were more likely to have severe outcomes compared to influenza-positive SARI patients for all periods, including the post-pandemic period. The odds of death for SARS-CoV-2 patients was highest in the earliest period. These results underscore the continued need for COVID-19-related public health interventions, including up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination.
Authors
A. Gimma¹, E. Kureta², O. Tarkhan-Mouravi³, B. Kryeziu⁴, E. Jancheska⁵, D. Otorbaeva⁶, J. Sulo⁷, K. Zhakhashvili⁸, I. Humolii⁹, K. Kirkovik Kolevska¹⁰, A. Ryspaev¹¹, S. Cohuet¹², J. Humphreys¹², A. Rose¹², J. Fielding ¹, P. Mook¹, M. Widdowson¹, O. Artemchuk¹, I. Finci¹, M. Katz ¹
¹ WHO Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
² Institute of Public Health, Albania
³ National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Georgia
⁴ National Institute of Public Health, Prishtina, Kosovo*
⁵ Institute of Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia
⁶ Department for Disease Prevention and State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance, Kyrgyzstan
⁷ Institute of Public Health, Albania
⁸ National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Georgia
⁹ World Health Organization Liaison Office, Kosovo*
¹⁰ Institute of Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia
¹¹ Laboratory of Molecular Genetic Research, Kyrgyzstan
¹² Epiconcept, France
*For the purposes of this abstract, all references to “Kosovo” should be understood as “Kosovo (in accordance with security council resolution 1244 (1999)).”
Abstract content of maximum 300 words
Title of abstract: Retrospective correlation analysis between SARS-CoV-2 test positivity data from sentinel and universal system reported to WHO at the country, area or territory level, January 2020-June 2022
Type of abstract: Poster
Virus that serves as the primary subject of your abstract: SARS-CoV-2
Theme of abstract:
First and last names of all authors: Aspen Hammond1, Katelijn Vandemaele1, Alessandro Gaetano2, Daniella Paolotti2, Marco Quaggiotto2
Full affiliations for all authors: 1World Health Organization, 2ISI Foundation
Introduction:
In March 2020, the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) incorporated SARS-CoV-2 into laboratory algorithms for testing specimens from sentinel surveillance sources. WHO was also collecting universal SARS-CoV-2 testing data from countries, including number of tests and number of positives, on a weekly basis through June 2022. This analysis explored the correlation between percent positivity for SARS-CoV-2 from sentinel and universal testing, considering lag and smoothing of the data.
Methods:
This analysis was restricted to SARS-CoV-2 testing data from universal surveillance (collected by WHO) and sentinel surveillance (reported to WHO’s FluNet) for those countries with at least 12 continuous weeks of data common between the two data sets, from 2020 through June 2022, and where more than 10 samples per week were tested in sentinel surveillance. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to measure correlation for each country. The influence of lag (shifting the sentinel signal by a variable number of weeks) and smoothing (averaging the signal of one week with the one of the previous weeks) was included in the analysis. For each country, the correlation coefficient was computed for several time windows, chosen to correspond to the country-dependent COVID-19 waves.
Results
Positive correlation was found in 47 of 49 countries for which there was data included in the analysis, with a moderate correlation (0.40-59) in 15 countries and a strong correlation (≥ 0.6) in 21 countries. For most countries, lag and smoothing of the sentinel data had a minor effect on correlation. Differences in the correlation between time periods was evident for several countries.
Conclusions: These findings support the use of sentinel surveillance for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 trends going forward. Changing testing strategies during the pandemic could have an effect on correlation over time. Contextual information on national testing strategies for universal surveillance was not available to be included in the analysis.
Title of abstract: Retrospective correlation analysis between SARS-CoV-2 test positivity data from sentinel and universal system reported to WHO at the country, area or territory level, January 2020-June 2022
Type of abstract: Poster
Virus that serves as the primary subject of your abstract: SARS-CoV-2
Theme of abstract:
First and last names of all authors: Aspen Hammond1, Katelijn Vandemaele1, Alessandro Gaetano2, Daniella Paolotti2, Marco Quaggiotto2
Full affiliations for all authors: 1World Health Organization, 2ISI Foundation
Introduction:
In March 2020, the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) incorporated SARS-CoV-2 into laboratory algorithms for testing specimens from sentinel surveillance sources. WHO was also collecting universal SARS-CoV-2 testing data from countries, including number of tests and number of positives, on a weekly basis through June 2022. This analysis explored the correlation between percent positivity for SARS-CoV-2 from sentinel and universal testing, considering lag and smoothing of the data.
Methods:
This analysis was restricted to SARS-CoV-2 testing data from universal surveillance (collected by WHO) and sentinel surveillance (reported to WHO’s FluNet) for those countries with at least 12 continuous weeks of data common between the two data sets, from 2020 through June 2022, and where more than 10 samples per week were tested in sentinel surveillance. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to measure correlation for each country. The influence of lag (shifting the sentinel signal by a variable number of weeks) and smoothing (averaging the signal of one week with the one of the previous weeks) was included in the analysis. For each country, the correlation coefficient was computed for several time windows, chosen to correspond to the country-dependent COVID-19 waves.
Results
Positive correlation was found in 47 of 49 countries for which there was data included in the analysis, with a moderate correlation (0.40-59) in 15 countries and a strong correlation (≥ 0.6) in 21 countries. For most countries, lag and smoothing of the sentinel data had a minor effect on correlation. Differences in the correlation between time periods was evident for several countries.
Conclusions: These findings support the use of sentinel surveillance for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 trends going forward. Changing testing strategies during the pandemic could have an effect on correlation over time. Contextual information on national testing strategies for universal surveillance was not available to be included in the analysis.
Comparing outcomes of COVID-19 and influenza among hospitalized patients in five countries and areas in the European Severe Acute Respiratory Infection Vaccine Effectiveness Network, 2021-2024
Background
Understanding changing COVID-19 severity can guide public health interventions in the post-pandemic period. We compared in-hospital severity of COVID-19 to influenza among hospitalized severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) patients in European SARI Vaccine Effectiveness (EuroSAVE) Network, which includes five countries and areas (Albania, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, North Macedonia, and Kosovo*).
Methods
We included patients admitted to 24 hospitals from December 2021 – March 2024 who met the WHO SARI case definition. All patients had a respiratory specimen collected and tested for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza by RT-PCR. We employed a cohort study design and calculated the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for severe outcome (ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, or in-hospital death) and in-hospital death by virus test result. We used logistic regression, adjusting for baseline patient characteristics. Influenza-positive patients were the reference group. We grouped SARS-CoV-2 patients by hospital admission date: Period (P)1 (6 December 2021- 18 December 2022); P2 (19 December 2022- 9 July 2023); and P3 (10 July 2023- 16 March 2024).
Results
Of the 5,800 patients included, 2,991 (52%) were male, 3,488 (60%) were ≥ 60 years old, 514 (8%) were influenza-positive, and 876 (15%) were SARS-CoV-2-positive. The aOR for severe outcomes among SARS-CoV-2-positive patients was 1.97 (95% CI 1.33-2.95) in P1, 2.63 (95% CI 1.66-4.17) in P2, and 1.88 (95% CI 1.01-3.39) in P3. The aOR for death among SARS CoV-2-positive patients was 3.45 (95% CI 1.92-6.59) in P1, 1.45 (95% CI 0.60-3.36) in P2, and 1.98 (95% CI 0.78-4.76) in P3.
Conclusions
SARS-CoV-2-positive SARI patients were more likely to have severe outcomes compared to influenza-positive SARI patients for all periods, including the post-pandemic period. The odds of death for SARS-CoV-2 patients was highest in the earliest period. These results underscore the continued need for COVID-19-related public health interventions, including up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination.
Authors
A. Gimma¹, E. Kureta², O. Tarkhan-Mouravi³, B. Kryeziu⁴, E. Jancheska⁵, D. Otorbaeva⁶, J. Sulo⁷, K. Zhakhashvili⁸, I. Humolii⁹, K. Kirkovik Kolevska¹⁰, A. Ryspaev¹¹, S. Cohuet¹², J. Humphreys¹², A. Rose¹², J. Fielding ¹, P. Mook¹, M. Widdowson¹, O. Artemchuk¹, I. Finci¹, M. Katz ¹
¹ WHO Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
² Institute of Public Health, Albania
³ National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Georgia
⁴ National Institute of Public Health, Prishtina, Kosovo*
⁵ Institute of Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia
⁶ Department for Disease Prevention and State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance, Kyrgyzstan
⁷ Institute of Public Health, Albania
⁸ National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Georgia
⁹ World Health Organization Liaison Office, Kosovo*
¹⁰ Institute of Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia
¹¹ Laboratory of Molecular Genetic Research, Kyrgyzstan
¹² Epiconcept, France
*For the purposes of this abstract, all references to “Kosovo” should be understood as “Kosovo (in accordance with security council resolution 1244 (1999)).”
Background
Understanding changing COVID-19 severity can guide public health interventions in the post-pandemic period. We compared in-hospital severity of COVID-19 to influenza among hospitalized severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) patients in European SARI Vaccine Effectiveness (EuroSAVE) Network, which includes five countries and areas (Albania, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, North Macedonia, and Kosovo*).
Methods
We included patients admitted to 24 hospitals from December 2021 – March 2024 who met the WHO SARI case definition. All patients had a respiratory specimen collected and tested for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza by RT-PCR. We employed a cohort study design and calculated the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for severe outcome (ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, or in-hospital death) and in-hospital death by virus test result. We used logistic regression, adjusting for baseline patient characteristics. Influenza-positive patients were the reference group. We grouped SARS-CoV-2 patients by hospital admission date: Period (P)1 (6 December 2021- 18 December 2022); P2 (19 December 2022- 9 July 2023); and P3 (10 July 2023- 16 March 2024).
Results
Of the 5,800 patients included, 2,991 (52%) were male, 3,488 (60%) were ≥ 60 years old, 514 (8%) were influenza-positive, and 876 (15%) were SARS-CoV-2-positive. The aOR for severe outcomes among SARS-CoV-2-positive patients was 1.97 (95% CI 1.33-2.95) in P1, 2.63 (95% CI 1.66-4.17) in P2, and 1.88 (95% CI 1.01-3.39) in P3. The aOR for death among SARS CoV-2-positive patients was 3.45 (95% CI 1.92-6.59) in P1, 1.45 (95% CI 0.60-3.36) in P2, and 1.98 (95% CI 0.78-4.76) in P3.
Conclusions
SARS-CoV-2-positive SARI patients were more likely to have severe outcomes compared to influenza-positive SARI patients for all periods, including the post-pandemic period. The odds of death for SARS-CoV-2 patients was highest in the earliest period. These results underscore the continued need for COVID-19-related public health interventions, including up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination.
Authors
A. Gimma¹, E. Kureta², O. Tarkhan-Mouravi³, B. Kryeziu⁴, E. Jancheska⁵, D. Otorbaeva⁶, J. Sulo⁷, K. Zhakhashvili⁸, I. Humolii⁹, K. Kirkovik Kolevska¹⁰, A. Ryspaev¹¹, S. Cohuet¹², J. Humphreys¹², A. Rose¹², J. Fielding ¹, P. Mook¹, M. Widdowson¹, O. Artemchuk¹, I. Finci¹, M. Katz ¹
¹ WHO Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
² Institute of Public Health, Albania
³ National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Georgia
⁴ National Institute of Public Health, Prishtina, Kosovo*
⁵ Institute of Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia
⁶ Department for Disease Prevention and State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance, Kyrgyzstan
⁷ Institute of Public Health, Albania
⁸ National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Georgia
⁹ World Health Organization Liaison Office, Kosovo*
¹⁰ Institute of Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia
¹¹ Laboratory of Molecular Genetic Research, Kyrgyzstan
¹² Epiconcept, France
*For the purposes of this abstract, all references to “Kosovo” should be understood as “Kosovo (in accordance with security council resolution 1244 (1999)).”
Abstract content of maximum 300 words
Title of abstract: Retrospective correlation analysis between SARS-CoV-2 test positivity data from sentinel and universal system reported to WHO at the country, area or territory level, January 2020-June 2022
Type of abstract: Poster
Virus that serves as the primary subject of your abstract: SARS-CoV-2
Theme of abstract:
First and last names of all authors: Aspen Hammond1, Katelijn Vandemaele1, Alessandro Gaetano2, Daniella Paolotti2, Marco Quaggiotto2
Full affiliations for all authors: 1World Health Organization, 2ISI Foundation
Introduction:
In March 2020, the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) incorporated SARS-CoV-2 into laboratory algorithms for testing specimens from sentinel surveillance sources. WHO was also collecting universal SARS-CoV-2 testing data from countries, including number of tests and number of positives, on a weekly basis through June 2022. This analysis explored the correlation between percent positivity for SARS-CoV-2 from sentinel and universal testing, considering lag and smoothing of the data.
Methods:
This analysis was restricted to SARS-CoV-2 testing data from universal surveillance (collected by WHO) and sentinel surveillance (reported to WHO’s FluNet) for those countries with at least 12 continuous weeks of data common between the two data sets, from 2020 through June 2022, and where more than 10 samples per week were tested in sentinel surveillance. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to measure correlation for each country. The influence of lag (shifting the sentinel signal by a variable number of weeks) and smoothing (averaging the signal of one week with the one of the previous weeks) was included in the analysis. For each country, the correlation coefficient was computed for several time windows, chosen to correspond to the country-dependent COVID-19 waves.
Results
Positive correlation was found in 47 of 49 countries for which there was data included in the analysis, with a moderate correlation (0.40-59) in 15 countries and a strong correlation (≥ 0.6) in 21 countries. For most countries, lag and smoothing of the sentinel data had a minor effect on correlation. Differences in the correlation between time periods was evident for several countries.
Conclusions: These findings support the use of sentinel surveillance for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 trends going forward. Changing testing strategies during the pandemic could have an effect on correlation over time. Contextual information on national testing strategies for universal surveillance was not available to be included in the analysis.
Title of abstract: Retrospective correlation analysis between SARS-CoV-2 test positivity data from sentinel and universal system reported to WHO at the country, area or territory level, January 2020-June 2022
Type of abstract: Poster
Virus that serves as the primary subject of your abstract: SARS-CoV-2
Theme of abstract:
First and last names of all authors: Aspen Hammond1, Katelijn Vandemaele1, Alessandro Gaetano2, Daniella Paolotti2, Marco Quaggiotto2
Full affiliations for all authors: 1World Health Organization, 2ISI Foundation
Introduction:
In March 2020, the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) incorporated SARS-CoV-2 into laboratory algorithms for testing specimens from sentinel surveillance sources. WHO was also collecting universal SARS-CoV-2 testing data from countries, including number of tests and number of positives, on a weekly basis through June 2022. This analysis explored the correlation between percent positivity for SARS-CoV-2 from sentinel and universal testing, considering lag and smoothing of the data.
Methods:
This analysis was restricted to SARS-CoV-2 testing data from universal surveillance (collected by WHO) and sentinel surveillance (reported to WHO’s FluNet) for those countries with at least 12 continuous weeks of data common between the two data sets, from 2020 through June 2022, and where more than 10 samples per week were tested in sentinel surveillance. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to measure correlation for each country. The influence of lag (shifting the sentinel signal by a variable number of weeks) and smoothing (averaging the signal of one week with the one of the previous weeks) was included in the analysis. For each country, the correlation coefficient was computed for several time windows, chosen to correspond to the country-dependent COVID-19 waves.
Results
Positive correlation was found in 47 of 49 countries for which there was data included in the analysis, with a moderate correlation (0.40-59) in 15 countries and a strong correlation (≥ 0.6) in 21 countries. For most countries, lag and smoothing of the sentinel data had a minor effect on correlation. Differences in the correlation between time periods was evident for several countries.
Conclusions: These findings support the use of sentinel surveillance for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 trends going forward. Changing testing strategies during the pandemic could have an effect on correlation over time. Contextual information on national testing strategies for universal surveillance was not available to be included in the analysis.
