# 4364
Key Influenza indicators for the latest reporting period (ending February 13th) remained about the same as in the previous week, with P&I deaths slightly elevated, but still below the epidemic threshold for this time of year.
Visits to doctors for ILI (influenza-like illnesses) increased slightly, but the vast majority (96.5%) of samples submitted to the CDC did not test positive for influenza. Other respiratory viruses, such as RSV, adenovirus, and Rhinoviruses are undoubtedly contributing to the mix.
A brief summary, therefore, of this week’s FluView highlights. Follow the link to read the entire weekly update.
2009-2010 Influenza Season Week 6 ending February 13, 2010
All data are preliminary and may change as more reports are received.
Synopsis:
During week 6 (February 7-13, 2010), influenza activity remained at approximately the same levels as last week in the U.S.
- 129 (3.5%) 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.
- Two influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported. Both deaths were associated with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infection.
- The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) was 2.1% which is below the national baseline of 2.3%. Three of 10 regions (Regions 4, 7, and 9) reported ILI above region-specific baseline levels.
- No states reported widespread influenza activity, three states reported regional influenza activity, Puerto Rico and nine states reported local influenza activity, the District of Columbia and 35 states reported sporadic influenza activity, the U.S. Virgin Islands and three states reported no influenza activity, and Guam did not report.
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 6, 7.7% of all deaths reported through the 122-Cities Mortality Reporting System were due to P&I. This percentage was below the epidemic threshold of 7.8% for week 6.
Influenza-Associated Pediatric Mortality
Two influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported to CDC during week 6 (Georgia and New York). Both deaths were associated with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infection. The deaths reported during week 6 occurred between January 31 and February 6, 2010.
