title: Sentinel surveillance for influenza and other respiratory viruses in Côte d'Ivoire, 2003-2010.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many countries in Africa have lacked sentinel surveillance systems for influenza and are under-represented in data used for global vaccine strain selection.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We describe 8 years of sentinel surveillance data and the contribution of influenza and other viruses to medically attended influenza-like illness (ILI) in Côte d'Ivoire.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sentinel surveillance was established in 2003. Nasopharyngeal (NP) specimens and epidemiologic data are collected from persons of all ages presenting with ILI at sentinel sites. Respiratory specimens have been tested for influenza using various viral and molecular diagnostic methods. A subset of 470 specimens collected from children aged 0-5 years were tested for multiple respiratory viruses using RT-PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 2003 to 2010, 5074 NP specimens were collected from patients with ILI. Overall, 969/5074 (19%) of these specimens tested positive for influenza. Seasonal influenza A(H1N1) viruses predominated during 5 years and influenza A(H3N2) viruses predominated during 3 years. Influenza B viruses cocirculated with influenza A viruses during each year from 2004 to 2010. Seasonal peaks in influenza circulation were observed during the months of May, June, and October, with the largest peak corresponding with the primary rainfall season. Of 470 specimens collected from children under aged 5 who were tested for multiple respiratory viruses, a viral respiratory pathogen was detected in 401/470 (85%) of specimens. Commonly detected viruses were RSV (113 of 470 specimens, 24%), rhinoviruses (85/470, 18%), influenza (77/470, 16%), and parainfluenza (75/470, 16%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In Côte d'Ivoire, there is a significant annual contribution of influenza and other respiratory viruses to medically attended ILI.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Virus Unit, Department of Epidemic Virus and National Influenza Centre, Pasteur Institute, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. rvkdjo@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Hervé A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Kadjo
authors.forename: Euloge
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ekaza
authors.forename: Daouda
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Coulibaly
authors.forename: Damus P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Kouassi
authors.forename: Ndahwouh T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Nzussouo
authors.forename: Bertin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kouakou
authors.forename: Abdoulaye
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ouattara
authors.forename: Edgard V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Adjogoua
authors.forename: Chantal G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Akoua-Koffi
authors.forename: Gilbernair A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Elia
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Victoir
authors.forename: Mireille C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Bretin-Dosso
authors.forename: Joshua A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Mott
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D007560:Cote d'Ivoire / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009981:Influenza B virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D012621:Seasons; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance; D014780:Viruses / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D055815:Young Adult