A Comprehensive Molecular and Epidemiological Characterization of Influenza Viruses Circulating 2016-2020 in North Macedonia.

ABSTRACT: Influenza viruses know no boundaries, representing an example of rapid virus evolution combined with pressure exerted by the host's immune system. Seasonal influenza causes 4-50 million symptomatic cases in the EU/EEA each year, with a global death toll reaching 650,000 deaths. That being the case, in 2014 North Macedonia introduced the sentinel surveillance in addition to the existing influenza surveillance in order to obtain more precise data on the burden of disease, circulating viruses and to implement timely preventive measures. The aims of this study were to give a comprehensive virological and epidemiological overview of four influenza seasons (2016-2020), assess the frequency and distribution of influenza circulating in North Macedonia and to carry out molecular and phylogenetic an

SUBMITTER: Kuzmanovska M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8567633 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature