Epidemiological and virological surveillance of influenza viruses in China during 2020–2021

Background: During the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic,seasonal influenza activity declined globally and remained below previous seasonal levels,but intensified in China since 2021.Preventive measures to COVID-19 accompanied by different epidemic characteristics of influenza in different regions of the world.To better respond to influenza outbreaks under the COVID-19 pandemic,we analyzed the epidemiology,antigenic and genetic characteristics,and antiviral susceptibility of influenza viruses in the mainland of China during 2020–2021.Methods: Respiratory specimens from influenza like illness cases were collected by sentinel hospitals and sent to network laboratories in Chinese National Influenza Surveillance Network.Antigenic mutation analysis of influenza virus isolates was performed by hemagglutination inhibition assay.Next-generation sequencing was used for genetic analyses.We also conducted molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of circulating influenza viruses.Viruses were tested for resistance to antiviral medications using phenotypic and/or sequence-based methods.Results: In the mainland of China,influenza activity recovered in 2021 compared with that in 2020 and intensified during the traditional influenza winter season,but it did not exceed the peak in previous years.Almost all viruses isolated during the study period were of the B/Victoria lineage and were characterized by genetic diversity,with the subgroup 1A.3a.2 viruses currently predominated.37.8%viruses tested were antigenically similar to reference viruses representing the components of the vaccine for the 2020–2021 and 2021–2022 Northern Hemisphere influenza seasons.In addition,China has a unique subgroup of 1A.3a.1 viruses.All viruses tested were sensitive to neuraminidase inhibitors and endonuclease inhibitors,except two B/Victoria lineage viruses identified to have reduced sensitivity to neuraminidase inhibitors.Conclusions: Influenza activity increased in the mainland of China in 2021,and caused flu season in the winter of 2021–2022.Although the diversity of influenza(sub)type decreases,B/Victoria lineage viruses show increased genetic and antigenic diversity.The world needs to be fully prepared for the co-epidemic of influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)virus globally.

Distribution of avian influenza viruses according to environmental surveillanee during 2014-2018, China

Background:Recurrent infections of animal hosts with avian influenza viruses(AIVs)have posted a persistent threat.It is very important to understand the avian influenza virus distribution and characteristics in environment associated with poultry and wild bird.The aim of this study was to analyze the geographic and seasonal distributions of AIVs in the 31 provinces,municipalities and autonomous region(PMA)of China,compare the AIVs prevalence in different col-lecting sites and sampling types,analyze the diversity of AIVs subtypes in environment.