Spotlight: Seasonal influenza 

Europe is now approaching the first winter season after the 2009 pandemic influenza. What can we expect? Has anything changed with seasonal influenza? What can people do to protect themselves and others? The new ‘Spotlight: Seasonal influenza’ looks at the most recent analyses concerning the influenza virus, weighs up the burden of the disease, and reinforces previous evidence-based guidance relating to prevention. This is featured in three main key messages: 1. Influenza comes every winter and affects many people. 2. The hard facts are often overlooked: Influenza remains a threat. 3. Prevention makes a difference. ‘Spotlight: Seasonal influenza’ also includes video clips, downloadable presentations, communication toolkit and links to related ECDC resources. Influenza is an infectious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses, and it comes every year during the winter months. By applying international influenza mortality data, ECDC has estimated that on average nearly 40,000 people die prematurely each year in the EU directly or indirectly due to influenza. Even more people are hospitalised or have to take time off work. This confirms that the disease remains a public health threat. But prevention makes a difference, and vaccination is the most effective preventive measure. This issue of Spotlight is part of the Spotlight series of web publications and primarily aimed at experts in the field of public health. The series highlights areas of special interest in the areas of public health, communicable disease prevention, disease surveillance and disease control.