# 3960
Although we’ll get an update tomorrow in Friday’s FluView report, today’s release of the MMWR indicates that 18 new pediatric influenza deaths were reported in the United States last week.
Some of those may be from previous weeks, as sometimes there is a bit of lag time in testing and reporting.
But the 5-year weekly average for this time of year is Zero.
Week 43: 18 new deaths reported
Cumulative 2009: 210 total deaths reported
NY (1), IN (1), VA (1), LA (2), CA (8), MS (1), OK (1), TX (2), WV (1)
These would be considered extraordinary numbers in the middle of February, to be occurring in October is particularly worrisome.
Since August 31st, the total is sadly now 92 children lost to influenza, during a time of the year when it is rare to lose any.
