Influenza and others respiratory virus surveillance in Tunisia during the 2024–2025 season: Findings from virological surveillace
1
1 National Observatory of Emerging and Reemerging Diseases, Tunis, Tunisia
2
2 University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of medicine of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
3
3 Directorate of Primary Health Care, Tunis, Tunisia
4
4 National Influenza Centre, Virology Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Charles Nicolle University Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Influenza and other respiratory viruses (ORV) still represent a significant global health burden. In Tunisia, efforts were made to strengthen coordination between existing surveillance systems and enhance data integration for improved detection, risk assessment, and timely response¹. This study aimed to describe the virological trends observed during the 2024–2025 season for early warning and coordinated public health action.
METHODS:
Between ISO week 40/2024 and week 17/2025, clinical specimens were weekly collected from sentinel and non-sentinel sites across Tunisia through the National Influenza Surveillance Programme. Samples were tested using RT-PCR by the National Influenza Center (Charles Nicole University Hospital). Confirmed cases were reported to the Ministry of Health institutions, including the National Observatory of New and Emerging Diseases (ONMNE). The positivity rate was defined as the proportion of tested specimens that were positive for at least one respiratory virus, calculated weekly and cumulatively.
RESULTS:
Between week 40/2024 and week 17/2025, a total of 1885 respiratory samples were tested in Tunisia through the national sentinel and non-sentinel surveillance system. The overall percentage of positivity (PP) for at least one respiratory pathogen was 51.6%. Among the viruses identified, the most frequently detected were influenza viruses (11.1%), respiratory syncytial virus (14.1%), and rhinovirus (13.9%), confirming co-circulation patterns during the peak season.. SARS-CoV-2 showed minimal activity, with a positivity rate of 0.7% and no detection during the final three weeks of the reporting period. The highest weekly PP for influenza was recorded in week 08/2025 (22.0%), coinciding with regional alerts.
CONCLUSIONS:
The 2024–2025 season in Tunisia was marked by co-circulation of influenza, RSV, and rhinovirus, with minimal SARS-CoV-2 activity. Surveillance efforts enabled timely detection and supported seasonal preparedness.
Influenza and other respiratory viruses (ORV) still represent a significant global health burden. In Tunisia, efforts were made to strengthen coordination between existing surveillance systems and enhance data integration for improved detection, risk assessment, and timely response¹. This study aimed to describe the virological trends observed during the 2024–2025 season for early warning and coordinated public health action.
METHODS:
Between ISO week 40/2024 and week 17/2025, clinical specimens were weekly collected from sentinel and non-sentinel sites across Tunisia through the National Influenza Surveillance Programme. Samples were tested using RT-PCR by the National Influenza Center (Charles Nicole University Hospital). Confirmed cases were reported to the Ministry of Health institutions, including the National Observatory of New and Emerging Diseases (ONMNE). The positivity rate was defined as the proportion of tested specimens that were positive for at least one respiratory virus, calculated weekly and cumulatively.
RESULTS:
Between week 40/2024 and week 17/2025, a total of 1885 respiratory samples were tested in Tunisia through the national sentinel and non-sentinel surveillance system. The overall percentage of positivity (PP) for at least one respiratory pathogen was 51.6%. Among the viruses identified, the most frequently detected were influenza viruses (11.1%), respiratory syncytial virus (14.1%), and rhinovirus (13.9%), confirming co-circulation patterns during the peak season.. SARS-CoV-2 showed minimal activity, with a positivity rate of 0.7% and no detection during the final three weeks of the reporting period. The highest weekly PP for influenza was recorded in week 08/2025 (22.0%), coinciding with regional alerts.
CONCLUSIONS:
The 2024–2025 season in Tunisia was marked by co-circulation of influenza, RSV, and rhinovirus, with minimal SARS-CoV-2 activity. Surveillance efforts enabled timely detection and supported seasonal preparedness.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
