# 5006
The 2010-11 influenza season hasn’t ramped up yet in the northern hemisphere, and so there is still time to get a flu shot and start building antibodies before you are apt to be exposed.
This year - in addition to the likely return of H1N1 - we’ve a new (Perth) strain of the H3N2 virus against which many are likely to have only limited immunity.
When H3 viruses dominate – unlike their H1N1 cousins – they generally produce more severe flu seasons and often impact senior citizens harshly.
Internationally, we are seeing a good deal of H3N2 around the world, and in some areas it is the dominant strain.
First a look at the latest International flu report (note: this data is from weeks 38-39), then this week’s FluView report from the CDC.
The RED slices of the pie chart indicated H3N2, while ORANGE indicates H1N1. Yellow is Untyped influenza A.
Influenza activity in most areas of the southern hemisphere peaked several weeks ago, and is now on the decline.
Seasonal Flu: International Situation Update
October 20, 2010, 11:00 AM ET
Global Flu Activity Update, October 19, 2010
The following summary of key influenza-related updates was created from regional World Health Organization (WHO) reports, country reports, CDC field staff updates, and other sources. Updates are listed by region and focus on data collected during epidemiologic weeks 37 through 40 (September 12 – October 9, 2010). Northern Temperate
Europe
In week 40, influenza activity intensity was low in all reporting European countries (20 countries), according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Nineteen countries collected sentinel respiratory specimens in week 40, and 2 out of 161 specimens (1.2%) were influenza-positive.
Canada
ILI consultation rates in weeks 38 and 40 are at baseline levels and below the level reported in 2009, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.
You can access the current, and historical Fluview influenza activity reports at this link with weekly reports going back more than a decade.
2010-2011 Influenza Season Week 41 ending October 16, 2010
All data are preliminary and may change as more reports are received.
Synopsis:
During week 41 (October 10-16, 2010), influenza activity remained low in the United States.
- Ninety-two (3.6%) 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.
- The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) was below the epidemic threshold.
- No influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported.
- The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) was below the national baseline. All 10 regions reported ILI below region-specific baseline levels and all 49 states with sufficient data experienced minimal ILI activity.
- Geographic spread of influenza in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 24 states was assessed as sporadic, Guam and 26 states reported no influenza activity and the U.S. Virgin Islands did not report.
Pneumonia and Influenza (P&I) Mortality Surveillance
During week 41, 6.5% of all deaths reported through the 122-Cities Mortality Reporting System were due to P&I. This percentage was below the epidemic threshold of 6.6% for week 41.
