Related Experiment Videos
Influenza activity in Czechoslovakia and the USSR, 1980-1985
Abstract:
Between 1980 and 1985, Czechoslovakia had experienced 4 and the USSR 3 major influenza outbreaks. Of the 3 epidemic outbreaks in the USSR, 2 were associated with influenza B virus (in the 1980/81 and 1983/84 seasons) and 1 with influenza A virus of the H3N2 subtype. In the USSR, influenza A (H1N1) virus never predominated as a cause of epidemic during the 5 years period. In Czechoslovakia, 2 epidemics (in the 1980/81 and 1983/84 seasons) were due to influenza A (H1N1) virus. The epidemic in the 1981/82 season had two waves of unequal heights and a mixed type B and subtype A (H3N2) etiology; a two-wave epidemic associated with isolates of influenza A (H1N1) and influenza B viruses was also recorded in the 1983/84 season. The influenza A (H3N2) epidemic in 1983 was of explosive character. All influenza viruses circulating in the two countries between 1980 and 1985 were of the same antigenic profile, but were isolated from the epidemics that occurred in different influenza seasons. The virological surveillance revealed strains of virus closely related to drift variants detected from outbreaks in 1977-1979 and the new variants A/Chile 1/83, A/Philippines 2/82, A/Caen 1/84 and B/USSR 100/83.
Insights
Influenza outbreaks in Czechoslovakia and the USSR (1980-1985) involved diverse strains, including Influenza A (H1N1, H3N2) and Influenza B viruses. Viral surveillance identified new variants antigenically similar to previous drift variants.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Major influenza outbreaks occurred in Czechoslovakia (4) and the USSR (3) between 1980 and 1985.
- Epidemics were caused by various influenza strains, including Influenza A (H1N1, H3N2) and Influenza B viruses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the etiological agents and epidemiological characteristics of influenza outbreaks in Czechoslovakia and the USSR from 1980 to 1985.
- To compare circulating influenza virus strains and identify antigenic profiles and new variants.
Main Methods:
- Virological surveillance and isolation of influenza viruses from epidemic outbreaks.
- Antigenic profiling of isolated influenza strains.
- Comparison with previously detected drift variants and reference strains.
Main Results:
- In the USSR, epidemics were linked to Influenza B (1980/81, 1983/84) and Influenza A (H3N2) (1983). Influenza A (H1N1) did not predominate.
- Czechoslovakia experienced Influenza A (H1N1) epidemics (1980/81, 1983/84), a mixed Influenza B and A (H3N2) epidemic (1981/82), and a dual A (H1N1)/B epidemic (1983/84).
- All circulating viruses shared similar antigenic profiles, with some strains closely related to 1977-1979 drift variants and new variants like A/Chile 1/83 and B/USSR 100/83.
Conclusions:
- Influenza virus circulation in Czechoslovakia and the USSR during 1980-1985 exhibited diverse etiological patterns.
- Virological surveillance successfully identified both established and emerging influenza virus variants with significant antigenic similarities to prior strains.