title: Influenza surveillance in 15 countries in Africa, 2006-2010.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In response to the potential threat of an influenza pandemic, several international institutions and governments, in partnership with African countries, invested in the development of epidemiologic and laboratory influenza surveillance capacity in Africa and the African Network of Influenza Surveillance and Epidemiology (ANISE) was formed.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used a standardized form to collect information on influenza surveillance system characteristics, the number and percent of influenza-positive patients with influenza-like illness (ILI), or severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and virologic data from countries participating in ANISE.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between 2006 and 2010, the number of ILI and SARI sites in 15 African countries increased from 21 to 127 and from 2 to 98, respectively. Children 0-4 years accounted for 48% of all ILI and SARI cases of which 22% and 10%, respectively, were positive for influenza. Influenza peaks were generally discernible in North and South Africa. Substantial cocirculation of influenza A and B occurred most years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Influenza is a major cause of respiratory illness in Africa, especially in children. Further strengthening influenza surveillance, along with conducting special studies on influenza burden, cost of illness, and role of other respiratory pathogens will help detect novel influenza viruses and inform and develop targeted influenza prevention policy decisions in the region.
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States.
authors.forename: Jennifer Michalove
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Radin
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tempia
authors.forename: Ndahwouh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Talla Nzussouo
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Jazmin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Duque
authors.forename: Adebayo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adedeji
authors.forename: Michael Jeroen
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Adjabeng
authors.forename: William Kwabena
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Ampofo
authors.forename: Workenesh
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ayele
authors.forename: Barnabas
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bakamutumaho
authors.forename: Amal
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barakat
authors.forename: Adam L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Ibrahim T
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Dalhatu
authors.forename: Coulibaly
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Daouda
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dueger
authors.forename: Moisés
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Francisco
authors.forename: Jean-Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Heraud
authors.forename: Daddi
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jima
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kabanda
authors.forename: Hervé
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kadjo
authors.forename: Amr
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kandeel
authors.forename: Stomy Karhemere
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Bi Shamamba
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kasolo
authors.forename: Karl C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Kronmann
authors.forename: Mazyanga L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Mazaba Liwewe
authors.forename: Julius Julian
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Lutwama
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matonya
authors.forename: Vida
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mmbaga
authors.forename: Joshua A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Mott
authors.forename: Marie Aimee
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Muhimpundu
authors.forename: Phillip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Muthoka
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Njuguna
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Randrianasolo
authors.forename: Samir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Refaey
authors.forename: Charlene
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.forename: Maha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Talaat
authors.forename: Andros
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Theo
authors.forename: Fátima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Valente
authors.forename: Marietjie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Venter
authors.forename: Celia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Woodfill
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bresee
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moen
authors.forename: Marc-Alain
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Widdowson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance; D055815:Young Adult