National Reference Centre for Influenza 2020-2022

Influenza viruses can cause seasonal epidemics, but can also trigger pandemics. This is why flu is monitored in Switzerland through the voluntary Sentinella reporting system. However, flu-like illnesses can be caused by more than just influenza viruses, and there are also different types and subtypes of influenza with different virulence properties. For the timely monitoring of influenza and the timely, situation-appropriate adaptation of recommendations and measures to protect the population, additional information on circulating influenza viruses and their changes (antigenic drift, antigenic shift, development of resistance) is therefore important. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, an additional goal is the virological monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses. The goals of virological monitoring are: - Detection of influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses ...