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The laboratory surveillance of influenza epidemics in the United Kingdom 1968–1976

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

Marguerite S. Pereira  and
Pratima Chakraverty
Marguerite S. Pereira
Affiliation:
Virus Reference Laboratory, Central Public Health Laboratory, Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5HT
Pratima Chakraverty
Affiliation:
Virus Reference Laboratory, Central Public Health Laboratory, Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5HT
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Summary

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The extensive laboratory investigations of respiratory disease in the U.K. over many years have demonstrated the frequency with which influenza viruses, both A and B, are found each winter. Only rarely are none isolated.

These findings correlate well with other indicators of influenza such as increases in sickness benefit claims and in deaths attributed to influenza and pneumonia.

However, outside these demonstrable peaks of incidence influenza viruses have been found to circulate over considerably longer periods often first appearing as early as November and continuing through to April or even May. But there has been no regular or predictablepattern determined.

The period of 1968–76 has seen a series of differently developing influenza winter epidemics caused by a series of the H3N2 virus. The contributions of virus isolation and serology to influenza surveillance is discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 79 , Issue 1 , August 1977 , pp. 77 - 87
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1977

References

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