WHO Collaborating Centre for Pandemic and Epidemic ResearchWHO European Region influenza surveillance networkEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and Control2017-03-142017-03-142017-01http://hdl.handle.net/10400.18/4635WHO European Region influenza surveillance network: Helena Rebelo de Andrade, Instituto Nacional de Saúde, PortugalSeasonal influenza is an acute viral infection that spreads easily from person to person, causing annual epidemics which peak during the winter in temperate regions of the world. Influenza can affect anyone but some people, including the very young, the elderly, pregnant women and those with underlying diseases, obesity or a weakened immune system are at higher risk of developing severe infection, requiring hospitalization, and possibly leading to death. Health care-associated influenza infections and influenza outbreaks in long–term care facilities (LTCFs) are well–documented. These outbreaks have the potential to spread rapidly among residents, staff and visitors and to cause severe illness and death among residents.engSeasonal influenzaHealth CareInfluenza VirusPreventionControlinfluenza vaccinesElderlyWHO European RegionWHO/Europe GuidanceInfecções Respiratóriasreport