# 5173
The CDC’s FluView weekly surveillance report is out a day early this week due to the Holiday weekend, and it paints a picture of slowly rising, but still relatively low flu activity around the nation.
There are exceptions, of course. Particularly in the Southeastern states.
P&I (Pneumonia & Influenza) deaths remain below the epidemic threshold, and H3N2 and Influenza B are the most dominant strains.
Some excerpts follow, but follow the link to read the report in its entirety.
2010-2011 Influenza Season Week 50 ending December 18, 2010
All data are preliminary and may change as more reports are received.
Synopsis:
During week 50 (December 12-18, 2010), influenza activity in the United States increased.
- Of the 4,733 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, 744 (15.7%) 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 2.1%, which is below the national baseline of 2.5%. One of the 10 regions (Region 4) reported ILI above region-specific baseline levels; three states (Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi) experienced high ILI activity, New York City and two states experienced moderate ILI activity, two states experienced low ILI activity, and the District of Columbia and 43 states experienced minimal ILI activity.
- The geographic spread of influenza in one state (Mississippi) was reported as widespread, Puerto Rico and 13 states reported regional activity, seven states reported local activity; the District of Columbia, Guam, and 28 states reported sporadic activity, one state reported no influenza activity, and the U.S. Virgin Islands 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 50, 6.7% of all deaths reported through the 122-Cities Mortality Reporting System were due to P&I. This percentage was below the epidemic threshold of 7.4% for week 50.
Outpatient Illness Surveillance:
Nationwide during week 50, 2.1% of patient visits reported through the U.S. Outpatient Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Network (ILINet) were due to influenza-like illness (ILI). This percentage is below the national baseline of 2.5%.
