# 4037
The American College Health Association (ACHA) receives reports of influenza-like illness (ILIs) and hospitalizations from hundreds of colleges and universities from across the US and compiles them on their website.
This past week (Nov 7th-13th) their numbers are showing a significant decline. Here is their summary (slightly reparagraphed for readability):
In this weekly period of influenza activity, a total of 6,373 new ILI cases were reported (12 hospitalizations) among campus populations totaling nearly 3 million.
Ninety-five percent of 263 colleges and universities reported new ILI cases, compared to 98 percent reporting new cases the prior week. The nationwide attack rate was 21.3 cases/10,000 students, 27 percent lower than the prior week’s rate.
Tragically, there were two deaths reported in this weekly period. These are the first deaths reported to ACHA's surveillance project. All but five states report significant declines in disease activity from November 7th through November 13th.
"Among this sample of nearly 3 million students, we have now observed over 80,000 cases of ILI since late August. Among these cases, ACHA reports 150 hospitalizations, and now unfortunately two deaths.Though pandemic flu remains generally mild among college students, these two deaths are harsh reminders of the rare but tragic consequences of influenza. Though total vaccine uptake won't be reported until the end of November, preliminary mid-month data shows more schools having access to vaccine.
However, uptake nationally remains at only about three percent indicating institutions are receiving vaccine in very small amounts. All of us in college health are hopeful that H1N1 vaccine will become more widely available to our students in the very near future.
The best hope for reducing the impact of the pandemic on campuses and to prevent further transmission throughout our communities is to achieve higher rates of vaccination," according to Dr. James C. Turner, president of the American College Health Association and executive director of the department of student health at the University of Virginia.
Weekly College Case Data [ICD-CM Diagnosis 487.1]
While this reduction in cases is certainly welcome, it is too soon - based on limited short-term reports - to base any conclusions on these numbers.
Influenza is notoriously unpredictable, and wide variations in attack rates over a prolonged influenza season are to be expected.
There are a great many excellent charts and graphs on the ACHA surveillance page.
