# 4278
A bit of a mixed bag with the latest FluView report released today from the CDC. This covers the week ending January 16th. Most key flu indicators are lower, although that isn’t true across the board.
Pediatric deaths, after dropping in late December, are back up again. This latest reporting period showing 9.
Additionally, P&I (Pneumonia & Influenza) Deaths are back above the epidemic level, after dropping below that level last week.
A few excerpts from this week’s report. Follow the link to read it in its entirety.
2009-2010 Influenza Season Week 2 ending January 16, 2010
All data are preliminary and may change as more reports are received.
Synopsis:
During week 2 (January 10-16, 2010), influenza activity decreased slightly in the U.S.
- 120 (3.7%) specimens tested by U.S. World Health Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) collaborating laboratories and reported to CDC/Influenza Division were positive for influenza.
- Ninety-eight percent of subtyped influenza A viruses reported to CDC were 2009 influenza A (H1N1) viruses.
- The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) was above the epidemic threshold.
- Nine influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported. Three deaths were associated with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infection, four were associated with an influenza A virus for which the subtype was undetermined, one was associated with an influenza A (H3) virus infection, and one was associated with an influenza B virus infection. The influenza A(H3) and B deaths occurred during the 2008-09 influenza season.
- The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) was 1.8% which is below the national baseline of 2.3%. One of the 10 regions (region 9) reported ILI above their region-specific baseline.
- No states reported widespread influenza activity, seven states reported regional influenza activity, Puerto Rico, and 10 states reported local influenza activity, the District of Columbia, Guam, and 32 states reported sporadic influenza activity, and the U.S. Virgin Islands and one state reported no influenza activity.
U.S. Virologic Surveillance:
WHO and NREVSS collaborating laboratories located in all 50 states and Washington D.C., report to CDC the number of respiratory specimens tested for influenza and the number positive by influenza type and subtype. The results of tests performed during the current week are summarized in the table below.
neumonia and Influenza (P&I) Mortality Surveillance
During week 2, 8.0% of all deaths reported through the 122-Cities Mortality Reporting System were due to P&I. This percentage was above the epidemic threshold of 7.6% for week 2.
Influenza-Associated Pediatric Mortality
Nine influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported to CDC during week 2 (Arizona, Colorado [3], Illinois [2], Maryland, New York, and Texas). Three deaths were associated with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infection, four were associated with an influenza A virus for which the subtype was undetermined, one was associated with an influenza A (H3) virus infection, and one was associated with an influenza B virus infection. The deaths reported during week 2 occurred between February 22, 2009 and January 2, 2010.
The two deaths associated with influenza A (H3) and influenza B virus infection reported during week 2 occurred during the 2008-09 season, bringing the total number of reported pediatric deaths occurring during that season to 132. The death associated with influenza A (H3) virus infection occurred in March 2009 and the death associated with influenza B virus occurred in February 2009
