FluCov-Bulletin – May 2025

The FluCov Bulletin offers a summary starting from January 2019, detailing the count of confirmed influenza and SARS-CoV-2 detections, along with positivity rates of tested specimens, across 25 countries globally. 

Results 

On a global level, influenza activity continued to decrease in May, primarily due to a decrease in the Northern Hemisphere (see Figure 1). Influenza activity is increasing in the Southern Hemisphere. The following country patterns were observed for influenza: 

• In the Southern Hemisphere, influenza activity increased in Argentina, Brazil, and Chile, driven by influenza A(H1N1)pmd09 when subtyped. 

• Influenza activity also increased slightly in Australia, compared to April, with a mix of influenza A and B. Activity remained stable at low level in New Zealand, with mainly influenza B. 

• In South Africa influenza activity increased slightly and is mostly driven by A(H3). 

• In the Northern Hemisphere, influenza activity continued to decrease in Canada, Mexico, and the United States [1]. 

• In Europe, influenza activity decreased further in Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom and was stable at very low levels in France and Poland. • Influenza activity also decreased further in Egypt. 

• Influenza activity continued to decrease in China and was stable at very low levels in India, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. 

• Activity also decreased in South Korea, after an increase in March and April due to influenza B. 

• No update on influenza activity was available through WHO for Israel and the United States in May.