# 4232
The CDC has posted FluView for week 52, ending January 2nd, 2010. Unlike last week, nearly all of the leading flu indicators are down in this latest reporting period.
Visits to doctors for ILI decreased slightly over last week, although some of this decline may be attributed to the holidays.
P&I (pneumonia & Influenza) deaths decreased over the last week and has moved below the epidemic threshold this week, after rising above last week.
There were four pediatric flu-related fatalities added to this year’s count during the past week.
I’ve excerpted some of the data and graphs below, but follow the link to read it in its entirety.
2009-2010 Influenza Season Week 52 ending January 2, 2010
All data are preliminary and may change as more reports are received.
Synopsis:
During week 52 (December 27, 2009-January 2, 2010), influenza activity decreased slightly in the U.S.
- 161 (3.9%) 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.
- All 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 below the epidemic threshold.
- Four influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported. All four deaths were associated with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infection.
- The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) was 2.4% which is above the national baseline of 2.3%. Six of the 10 regions (3, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10) reported ILI below region-specific baseline levels.
- One state reported geographically widespread influenza activity, 12 states reported regional influenza activity, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and 17 states reported local influenza activity, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 19 states reported sporadic influenza activity, 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.
Pneumonia and Influenza (P&I) Mortality Surveillance
During week 52, 7.4% of all deaths reported through the 122-Cities Mortality Reporting System were due to P&I. This percentage was below the epidemic threshold of 7.5% for week 52.
Influenza-Associated Pediatric Mortality
Four influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported to CDC during week 52 (Arizona, Florida, and Ohio [2]). All four deaths were associated with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infection. The deaths reported during week 52 occurred between September 13 and December 19, 2009.
