Global Respiratory Virus Activity: Weekly Update N° 589

Overview

In week 30 2026, influenza positivity remained below 10% and SARS-CoV-2 activity remained low globally. Influenza positivity was above 10% in the southern hemisphere temperate and subtropical areas. RSV positivity also remained low globally.

Influenza

Globally, influenza detections remained low in week 30 with influenza A and B viruses detected in similar proportions.

In the southern hemisphere, influenza percent positivity was elevated (>10%) in some countries in Temperate South America and in single countries in Tropical South America, Eastern Africa and South-East Asia. No increases in activity were observed in the southern hemisphere.

In the northern hemisphere, influenza percent positivity was elevated (>10%) in some countries in Central America and the Caribbean, Southern and South-East Asia and in single countries in Middle Africa, Western and Eastern Asia. Percent positivity was over 30% in single countries in Central America and the Caribbean and Tropical South America. Increases in activity were observed in single countries in Central America and the Caribbean, Tropical South America, South West Europe and South-East Asia.

In the zones with elevated positivity, influenza A(H3N2) was predominant in Central America and the Caribbean, Tropical South America and Middle Africa and influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 was predominant in Eastern Africa, Western and Southern Asia. Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and influenza A(H3N2) were codominant in South-East Asia; and influenza A and B were codominant in Temperate South America and Eastern Asia.

SARS-CoV-2

Globally, SARS-CoV-2 positivity remained stable and low across most reporting countries, with elevated positivity (>10%) reported in countries in Central America and the Caribbean and Tropical South America and in single countries in Southern and Eastern Asia. Increases in activity were observed in two countries in Central America and the Caribbean and in single countries in Tropical South America, and Western Africa.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

RSV positivity was elevated (>10%) in a few countries in Central America and the Caribbean, Tropical and Temperate South America and in a single country in Southern Africa. Percent positivity was over 30% in a single country in Central America and the Caribbean. Small increases in activity were observed in single countries in Central America and the Caribbean and Temperate South America. RSV and influenza activity were both elevated in a few countries in Central America and the Caribbean and Temperate South America.

Severity assessment

The severity assessments here are reported from countries, areas and territories. Assessments for transmissibility can be reported based on syndromic parameters and/or influenza-specific parameters. In the southern hemisphere temperate and subtropical areas, influenza-specific transmissibility was reported as below seasonal threshold (1); transmissibility using syndromic data was reported as low (1). In the northern hemisphere temperate and subtropical areas, influenza-specific transmissibility was reported as below seasonal threshold (13); transmissibility using syndromic data was reported as below seasonal threshold (10). 

 

WHO encourages countries, especially those that have received the multiplex influenza and SARS-CoV-2 reagent kits from GISRS, to conduct integrated surveillance of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 and report epidemiological and laboratory information in a timely manner to established regional and global platforms. The guidance can be found here.

Starting with report #501, the Global Respiratory Virus Activity Weekly Update included data from sentinel surveillance and other types of systematically conducted virologic surveillance. Countries, areas, and territories use a variety of approaches to monitor respiratory virus activity and data in this report may vary from surveillance reports posted elsewhere. Analyses stratified by source of surveillance is available through Respimart.