Influenza is an acute viral respiratory tract disease in humans, often characterized by fever, headache, myalgia, prostration, coryza, sore throat and cough. Influenza infection is clinically indistinguishable from other respiratory viral diseases without laboratory confirmation. This study aims to estimate the proportion of confirmed influenza cases among patients presenting with a severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and influenza-like illness (ILI) to determine its epidemiological distribution and guide surveillance and public health interventions. This study was based on analysis of surveillance data from 19 of these health facilities, January 2021 to August 2022.  Epidemiological and virologic data were collected from these facilities. laboratory testing was carried out at the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with the positivity of influenza tests, and results are expressed as adjusted odds ratios (AORs). Among the 6,193 patients included in this study, 11.1% tested positive for influenza. Higher influenza positivity was detected among ILI cases (26.4%, 525) compared to SARI cases (3.8%, 161). Peaks in influenza positivity occurred during February and December. The positivity of influenza tests was significantly associated with patients. The positivity rate for influenza virus during the study period was relatively high in Ethiopia. Strengthening laboratory capacity and influenza sentinel surveillance to detect influenza and other respiratory pathogens is recommended to allow public health officials to interpret national data, compare trends over time locally and globally, and to be prepared for future outbreaks. 

Key words: Influenza, SARI, sentinel site, COVID 19, Ethiopia

 

Key words: Influenza, SARI, sentinel site, COVID 19, Ethiopia