DRIFT OF INFLUENA A(H3N2) VIRUS: BIOLOGICAL, ANTIGENIC AND GENETIC PROPERTIES IN EPIDEMIC SEASON 2016-2017 IN RUSSIA AND COUNTRIES OF THE NOTHERN HEMYSPHERE

The article presents the features of the influenza virus circulation for the period from October 2016 to May 2017 in some territories of Russia collaborating with the D.I. Ivanovsky Institute of Virology, Federal State Budgetary Institution “N.F. Gamaleya Federal Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology”, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. One of the 2016-2017 season’s peculiarities in Russia and countries of the Northern hemisphere was the earlier start of an increase in ARD morbidity with peak indexes reached towards the end of December 2016 - January 2017. First, influenza A(H3N2) virus was predominant; then, it was followed by influenza B virus activity observed until the end of the season. The indexes of morbidity were higher than in the previous season, while the rates of hospitalization and mortality were lower, lethal cases being detected in persons 65 years old and older. Epidemic strains of influenza A(H3N2) virus belonged to 3c.2a genetic group, reference strain A/Hong Hong/4408/2014, and its subgroup 3c.2a1, reference A/Bolzano/7/2016, that are antigenically similar. Strains of influenza B virus were antigenically similar to the B/Brisbane/60/2008 vaccine virus. Strains were sensitive to oseltamivir and zanamivir. The share participation of non-influenza ARI viruses was similar to preliminary epidemic seasons. WHO has issued recommendations for influenza virus vaccines composition for 2017-2018 for the Northern hemisphere.