Influenza is a viral infection that affects mainly the nose, throat, bronchi and, occasionally, lungs. Infection usually lasts for about a week, and is characterized by sudden onset of high fever, aching muscles, headache and severe malaise, non-productive cough, sore throat and rhinitis. The virus is transmitted easily from person to person via droplets and small particles produced when infected people cough or sneeze. Influenza tends to spread rapidly in seasonal epidemics. Most infected people recover within one to two weeks without requiring medical treatment. However, in the very young, the elderly, and those with other serious medical conditions, infection can lead to severe complications of the underlying condition, pneumonia and death.
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Influenza
Influenza
Epidemiological alerts and updates: Influenza

Scientific and technical material: Influenza
- Influenza web site in the regional country offices
- National Influenza Plans
- National plans in the region
- Pandemic (H1N1) 2009
- Pandemic (H1N1) 2009
- Pandemic (H1N1) 2009
- Pandemic (H1N1) 2009
- Pandemic (H1N1) 2009
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- Pandemic (H1N1) 2009
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- Pandemic (H1N1) 2009
- Software
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Multimedia materials
- Video: Influenza Playlist
Latest News
PAHO | Influenza | Latest News
- Similarities and differences – COVID-19 and influenza 2020-03-26
As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve, comparisons have been drawn to influenza. Both cause respiratory disease, yet there are important differences between the two viruses and how they spread. This has important implications for public health measures that should be implemented to respond to each virus.
- Communicating the risks to health posed by COVID-19 is key to protecting populations and mitigating spread 2020-03-06
Informing populations about the health risks posed by COVID-19, as well as measures they can take to protect themselves, is key to mitigating spread and reducing the likelihood that people will become infected. The first cases of this new coronavirus disease 2019 have already been registered in 8 countries of the Americas.
- PAHO Director calls on countries of the Americas to intensify COVID-19 preparedness and response activities 2020-02-26
The Director of the Pan American Health Organization, Carissa F. Etienne, today recommended that countries intensify their plans to prepare and respond to COVID-19 given the appearance of cases of new coronavirus disease in the Region of the Americas.
- PAHO prepares a further 9 countries in the Americas for laboratory diagnosis of new coronavirus 2020-02-14
- PAHO prepares 8 Caribbean countries for laboratory diagnosis of new coronavirus 2020-02-12
- PAHO providing technical cooperation to countries on novel Coronavirus 2020-02-06
- PAHO Director urges readiness to detect cases of new coronavirus in the Americas 2020-01-24
- PAHO outlines six-year strategy to confront health challenges, advance health equity in the Americas 2019-10-01
- The Minister of Health of Costa Rica was elected to chair the 57th Directing Council of PAHO 2019-09-30
- Health ministers to gather in Washington to set policies, priorities for health action in the Americas 2019-09-23
- 72nd World Health Assembly Closes with Adoption of Resolutions on Public Health Topics 2019-05-28
- World Health Assembly approves resolutions on climate change and health, noncommunicable diseases, and influenza preparedness 2019-05-24
- Myths and Truths about Seasonal Influenza and the Flu Vaccine 2019-05-14
- PAHO launches Vaccination Week in the Americas in Brazil, urging countries in the Region to unite to end measles 2019-04-23
- Nearly 70 million people to be vaccinated during Vaccination Week of the Americas 2019-04-18
- WHO launches new global influenza strategy 2019-03-11
- Ten threats to global health in 2019 2019-01-17
- Simulation exercise put global pandemic readiness to the test 2018-12-06
- New PAHO manual guides management of antimicrobial resistance in the Americas 2018-11-16
- Improving influenza virus detection in Latin America and the Caribbean 2018-08-10
- 71st World Health Assembly Wraps Up With Adoption of Resolutions on Wide-Ranging Topics 2018-05-26
- World Health Assembly delegates agree on new five-year strategic plan 2018-05-23
- Uruguayan footballer Edinson Cavani joins PAHO to promote vaccination 2018-04-25
- 70 million people to be vaccinated as part of Vaccination Week in the Americas 2018-04-19
- The Region of the Americas leads in the vaccination of pregnant women against influenza 2017-10-24
- The 70th World Health Assembly closes 2017-05-31
- Delegates at the 70th World Health Assembly adopt their initial decisions 2017-05-25
- 70th World Health Assembly sessions begin 2017-05-22
- Vaccination Week in the Americas: 15 years, 15 achievements 2017-04-27
- PAHO Director visits Mexico to launch Vaccination Week in the Americas and recognize progress against neglected diseases 2017-04-21
- WHO publishes list of bacteria for which new antibiotics are urgently needed 2017-02-27
- Making health systems resilient to changing needs and threats must be a top priority, says PAHO Director 2016-11-16
- PAHO Director: Fight Against Zika will be a 'marathon' 2016-11-14
- Nicaraguan president meets with PAHO director 2016-10-24
- OPS/OMS y Rusia analizan posibilidades de cooperación conjunta 2016-10-23
- PAHO creates new Health Emergencies Program 2016-09-20
- Some 60 million people set to benefit from vaccines during Vaccination Week in the Americas 2016-04-22
- Influenza pandemics can have a major impact on the world's population, and experts say the threat of a future pandemic looms large 2015-10-21
- Ministers of the Americas share experiences and proposals for strengthening health systems 2015-05-19
- Región de las Américas llamó a fortalecer los sistemas de salud para que puedan responder efectivamente a emergencias 2015-05-19
- Paraguay: Semana de Vacunación en las Américas 2015-04-29
- PAHO Foundation Announces $2.57 Million Grant to Address Priority Infectious Diseases and Women's Cancers in the Americas 2015-04-14
- Canada reports second human case of H7N9 influenza 2015-02-02
- Questions and answers on seasonal influenza 2015-01-28
- Canada reports the Americas' first case of avian influenza A (H7N9) in humans 2015-01-28
- Experts share lessons in Ebola management, highlight preparedness efforts in the Americas 2014-12-03
- Ebola: PAHO/WHO briefs health authorities on support for preparedness in the Americas 2014-11-06
- PANAFTOSA opens high security facilities of its OIE/FAO reference laboratory for foot-and-mouth disease 2014-09-19
- PAHO Calls on the Countries of the Americas to Remain on Guard against the Ebola Virus despite a Climate of Calm 2014-08-28
- Travel and Transport in Relation to Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Outbreak 2014-08-18
- Ethical considerations for use of unregistered interventions for Ebola virus disease (EVD) 2014-08-11
- Directora de la OMS de visita en Cuba 2014-07-14
- Experts recommend continued surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases for rapid response and prevention of outbreaks 2014-07-04
- Countries of the Americas share risk of antibiotic resistance, must act now to protect health 2014-04-29
- PAHO/WHO urges vaccination against measles and rubella to protect the Americas during the 2014 FIFA World Cup 2014-04-24
- Update: Human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus 2014-01-10
- Health leaders set course for Pan American health action and progress toward universal coverage 2013-10-04
- Improved influenza surveillance and continued vaccination are needed to protect older adults in the Americas 2013-08-05
- PAHO/WHO Offers Fifteen Free Courses through the Virtual Campus for Public Health 2013-08-01
- Lanzamiento de la 11a Semana de la Vacunación en las Américas y 2ª Semana Mundial de Inmunizaciones 2013-04-26
- Se inició 11° Semana de Vacunación de las Américas con lanzamiento binacional Perú-Ecuador 2013-04-26
- Belize and Guatemala jointly launch Vaccination Week in the Americas 2013 2013-04-24
- New vaccine protects Haitian children from five diseases 2013-04-19
- 11th Vaccination Week in the Americas seeks to protect 44 million people in 44 countries and territories against dangerous diseases 2013-04-18
- Primeros casos documentados de Influenza H7N9 en humanos 2013-04-05
- PAHO/WHO Recognizes Haiti for Efforts to Sustain the Elimination of Four Vaccine-Preventable Diseases 2013-02-28
- Regional stakeholders seek to expand manufacturing capacity for vaccines and blood products in Latin America and the Caribbean 2013-01-18
- WHO Executive Board meeting in Geneva 2013-01-18
- Influenza activity increases in North America 2013-01-15
- Experts discuss business models for sustainable production of influenza vaccines 2013-01-14
- Washing Hands with Soap and Water Reduces by 50% Childhood Diarrhea and by 25% Respiratory Infections 2012-10-15
- New CDC test for dengue approved 2012-07-03
- Vaccine Suppliers Receive Report on Immunization in the Americas 2012-06-05
- El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala Launch Tenth Vaccination Week in the Americas 2012-04-28
- Vaccination Week in the Americas Seeks to Reach the Region's Indigenous Populations 2012-04-27
- PAHO Revolving Fund helps countries acquire vaccines for Vaccination Week in the Americas 2012-04-26
- Millions of women and older adults will be vaccinated during Vaccination Week in the Americas 2012-04-25
- Officials on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border join Vaccination Week in the Americas 2012-04-25
- Challenges of adult immunization in global and regional context 2012-04-24
- President Ollanta Humala, First Lady Nadine Heredia and Minister Alberto Tejada, launched vaccination campaign in the Americas in Peru 2012-04-22
- Vaccination Week in the Americas seeks to protect 44 million people in the region 2012-04-19
- Latin American Celebrities Support Vaccination Week in the Americas 2012-04-18
- Bioethical Issues in Pandemics 2012-01-30
- Haiti's Health Partners Pledge Support for Plan to Improve Vaccination 2011-10-21
- Lessons from the pandemic: the need for new tools for risk and outbreak communication 2011-10-21
- Cochabamba: "El Taller Nacional de Comunicadores para el Desarrollo de la Estrategia Nacional de Comunicacion de Riesgo y Brote" 2011-08-22
- Bolivia: Se lleva a cabo Taller Nacional y Consulta a Expertos para la Elaboración de la Estrategia de Comunicación de Riesgo y Brotes 2011-08-19
- Bolivia: Taller Nacional y Consulta de Expertos para Elaborar una Estrategia de Comunicación de Riesgo y Brotes 2011-08-19
- Periodistas de Uruguay País en Videoconferencia sobre Comunicación de Riesgo 2011-08-18
- Jon Andrus Introduces ProVac, a Project that Supports Country Decision-making on the Introduction of New Vaccines 2011-07-08
- Haiti Presents Plan to Vaccinate 90 Percent of Children Under 1 2011-05-13
- PAHO's Director Participates in Vaccination Week Launch in Brazil 2011-04-29
- Multi-Country Vaccine Drive Targets 41 Million People in the Americas 2011-04-18
- Experts Warn of "Untreatable Infections" 2011-04-05
- 2010: A Year of Health Challenges for Haiti 2011-01-11
- Experts Start Verifying Measles, Rubella Elimination in the Americas 2010-12-10
- Elections Not Expected to Increase Cholera Spread in Haiti 2010-11-25
- Top Officials Meet to Map Pan-American Cooperation in Health 2010-09-27
- Workshop Analyzed the Impact of Pandemic Influenza Vaccine 2010-09-15
- WHO Declares H1N1 Pandemic Over, Urges Continued Influenza Vigilance 2010-08-10
- WHO: H1N1 Influenza Now in the Post-Pandemic Period 2010-08-10
- WHO: H1N1 Influenza Now in the Post-Pandemic Period 2010-08-10
- Experts Assessing Measles Eradication Feasibility 2010-07-28
- 8th Annual Vaccination Week in the Americas Targets 42 Million 2010-04-22
- PAHO/WHO Strengthens Support to Chile 2010-03-04
- Spain Donates Four Million Doses of Influenza A Vaccines to Latin American Countries 2010-03-04
- Nicaragua Ready to Receive and Apply AH1N1 Influenza Vaccine 2010-02-24
- Peru Honors PAHO/WHO Representative 2009-12-07
- Update: Availability of Pandemic Influenza Vaccine for the Americas 2009-12-06
- Actualización: Disponibilidad de la Vacuna de Influenza Pandémica para las Américas 2009-12-06
- Young 'Ecoclub' Members Spread the Message on H1N1 Pandemic Influenza Prevention 2009-12-04
- WHO Says Prompt Treatment Can Prevent Serious Cases, Deaths from H1N1 2009-11-12
- Preparing Communities to Respond to Pandemic Influenza 2009-11-03
- Countries of the Americas Examine Response to Pandemic H1N1 2009 and Challenges Ahead 2009-09-11
- Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in the Americas: What's Next? 2009-09-02
- Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in the Americas: What's Next? 2009-09-02
- Vaccine Experts Cite Progress on Measles and Rubella Elimination, Discuss H1N1 Vaccine Outlook 2009-08-25
- PAHO/WHO U.S.-Mexico Border Office Chief corrects deceptive statement about antiviral resistance 2009-08-05
- Breastfeeding is a Lifeline, Especially during Emergencies 2009-08-02
- Highlights from the High-Level Cancun Meeting on Influenza A (H1N1) 2009-07-09
- PAHO Recognizes Important US Contribution of Antivirals for Latin America and Caribbean 2009-07-03
- Vaccine Revolving Fund May Expand to Africa, Eastern Mediterranean Regions 2009-06-26
- Chile's President Urges a Collective Response to A (H1N1) Pandemic 2009-06-24
- PAHO Urges Measured but Alert Response to Flu Pandemic 2009-06-10
- Influenza pandemic alert raised to phase 6 2009-06-08
- Media Briefing: A(H1N1) Influenza - June 4, 2009 2009-06-08
- PAHO Briefing Friday 12 June on Influenza A(H1N1) Pandemic 2009-06-03
- Media Briefing: A(H1N1) Influenza - May 18, 2009 2009-05-19
- Media Briefing: A(H1N1) Influenza - May 15, 2009 2009-05-15
- Media Briefing: A(H1N1) Influenza - May 13, 2009 2009-05-14
- Media Briefing: A(H1N1) Influenza - May 8 2009 2009-05-14
- Media Briefing: A(H1N1) Influenza - May 11, 2009 2009-05-11
- Joint FAO/WHO/OIE Statement on influenza A(H1N1) and the safety of pork 2009-05-10
- Media Briefing: A(H1N1) Influenza - May 7, 2009 2009-05-08
- Media Briefing: Influenza A (H1N1) - May 5, 2009 2009-05-05
- Media Briefing: Influenza A (H1N1) - May 4, 2009 2009-05-05
- Media Briefing: A(H1N1) Influenza 2009-05-05
- Media Advisory 2009-05-04
- PAHO Urges Southern Hemisphere to Remain Alert for Influenza A(H1N1) 2009-05-04
- Media Advisory 3 may 2009 2009-05-02
- Media Advisory 4 may 2009 2009-05-02
- PAHO Urges Equitable Access to Influenza Vaccines 2009-05-01
- PAHO Director Urges Close Monitoring of New H1N1 Influenza Virus 2009-04-30
- Public Health Emergency of International Concern 2009-04-28
- Statement by WHO Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan 2009-04-27
- WHO Press Briefing on A/H1N1 Influenza 2009-04-24
- Influenza-Like Illness in Mexico and the United States 2009-04-22
- Massive Multi-Country Drive Aims to Vaccinate 30 Million People 2009-04-22
- High-Level Canada Visit Highlights Cooperation, Indigenous Health 2009-04-02
- International Health Regulations Enter into Force 2007-06-18
- Vth Meeting of the Surveillance Network for Emerging Infectious Diseases in the Amazon Countries 2005-04-23
- Third Joint Meeting of the Networks for Surveillance of Emerging Infectious Diseases 2004-03-01