Updated 25/05/2026
During epidemiological week 19 (May 4–10, 2026), 13 countries across the WHO African Region reported respiratory virus surveillance data, revealing a 9% influenza positivity rate against a backdrop of minimal SARS-CoV-2 circulation. According to WHO African Region respiratory virus surveillance data, influenza A and B viruses dominated clinical respiratory specimens, while COVID-19 testing showed a sustained decline across the region.
Influenza subtypes detected across 13 African countries, week 19
Distribution of 86 positive specimens by influenza type and subtype, May 4–10, 2026
Source: WHO African Region Respiratory Virus Surveillance, Week 19, 2026 | Georgian Medical Journal News
Influenza A and B drive regional disease burden
Among 86 confirmed influenza cases, WHO African Region surveillance data show that 59 specimens were influenza A and 27 were influenza B. Influenza A without full subtyping accounted for the largest group (36 specimens), followed by influenza B Victoria lineage (24 specimens) and influenza A H3 (19 specimens). Pandemic H1N1 (H1N1)pdm09 represented only 4 cases, with 3 influenza B viruses remaining untyped.
SARS-CoV-2 positivity falls to 2% in acute surveillance
In week 19, laboratories across the African Region processed 908 specimens for SARS-CoV-2, yielding only 18 positive cases—a 2% positivity rate, according to WHO African Region surveillance.
Cumulatively from weeks 1 to 19, the influenza laboratory network tested 25,293 specimens for SARS-CoV-2, with 785 positive results—a cumulative positivity of 3.1%, according to WHO African Region surveillance data.
Laboratory capacity and regional participation strengthen surveillance
The week 19 surveillance snapshot represents data from 13 countries—Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Togo, and the United Republic of Tanzania, according to WHO African Region surveillance data. A total of 961 specimens were collected and processed, with 951 tested for influenza and 908 tested for SARS-CoV-2.
Influenza positivity reached 9% in week 19 across 13 African countries, with influenza A and B co-circulating, while SARS-CoV-2 remained at 2% positivity.
— WHO African Region Respiratory Virus Surveillance, Week 19 (May 2026)
Key takeaways
- Influenza positivity of 9% (86 of 951 specimens) in week 19 across 13 African countries, according to WHO African Region surveillance data.
- Influenza A H3 (19 cases) and influenza B Victoria (24 cases) were the most commonly detected subtypes, while pandemic H1N1 remained rare (4 cases), per WHO surveillance data.
- SARS-CoV-2 positivity at 2% (18 of 908 specimens), with a cumulative year-to-date rate of 3.1%, according to WHO African Region surveillance.
- Participation by 13 countries and 12 laboratories documented in WHO surveillance report.
Frequently asked questions
What does “subtyping not performed” mean for 36 influenza A specimens?
Subtyping identifies whether influenza A is H1N1, H3N2, or another subtype. When resources or time constraints prevent full characterization, specimens are reported as influenza A without subtype designation.
Source: Respiratory virus surveillance in the WHO African Region Epidemiological Week 19, May 4 to 10 2026
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Medically reviewed by Prof. Giorgi Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD. Spotted an error? Contact the editorial team.
