Flu season in Europe starts off at very low levels

Influenza activity in Europe is very low, according to the first weekly electronic bulletin of the 2001-02 influenza season from the European Influenza Surveillance Scheme (EISS) (1). Eight networks reported clinical influenza activity to EISS in week 42/2001 (15-21 October 2001). Seven networks reported no influenza activity (Belgium, Denmark, England, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Switzerland), and a local outbreak of influenza was reported in Wales. The intensity of activity in all networks was low.