# 5212
The CDC’s weekly influenza surveillance report has incorporated some new (and/or revised) charts in their latest edition, that help illustrate the impact of flu-like illnesses across different age groups and cohorts with underlying conditions.
So today, a few excerpts from the latest FluView report (week 52 Ending Jan 1, 2011), with an emphasis on these new views.
This week’s surveillance report is a mixed bag.
Unlike the UK, and parts of Europe, which are currently dealing with outbreaks of the 2009 H1N1 virus, the United States and Canada appear to be seeing mostly H3N2 and Influenza B.
For now, the level of influenza activity is widely varied across the nation, with most of the heavy activity in the deep south.
Nationwide, the P&I (Pneumonia & Influenza) mortality level has dropped below the epidemic level for this time of year, while the outpatient ILI consultation rate is just barely above the national baseline.
Here are few excerpts. Follow the link to read this week’s report in its entirety.
2010-2011 Influenza Season Week 52 ending January 1, 2011
All data are preliminary and may change as more reports are received.
Synopsis:
During week 52 (December 26, 2010 – January 1, 2011), influenza activity in the United States decreased slightly.
- Of the 4,911 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, 995 (20.3%) were positive for influenza.
- The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) was below the epidemic threshold.
- One influenza-associated pediatric death was reported and was associated with Influenza B virus infection.
- The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) was 2.6%, which is above the national baseline of 2.5%. Four of the 10 regions (Regions 2, 3, 4, and 5) reported ILI above region-specific baseline levels; six states and New York City experienced high ILI activity, two states experienced moderate ILI activity, six states experienced low ILI activity, 35 states experienced minimal ILI activity, and data were insufficient from the District of Columbia and one state.
- The geographic spread of influenza in eight states was reported as widespread; Puerto Rico and 16 states reported regional influenza activity; the District of Columbia and 11 states reported local influenza activity, and Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and 15 states reported sporadic 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 and subtype.
Pneumonia and Influenza (P&I) Mortality Surveillance
During week 52, 7.2% of all deaths reported through the 122-Cities Mortality Reporting System were due to P&I. This percentage was below the epidemic threshold of 7.7% for week 52.
Outpatient Illness Surveillance:
Nationwide during week 52, 2.6% 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 above the national baseline of 2.5%.
The increase in the percentage of patient visits for ILI may be influenced in part by a reduction in routine health care visits during the holiday season, as has occurred in previous seasons.
Some of the new (or revised) charts are found under the following heading (click images to enlarge):
Influenza-Associated Hospitalizations
FluSurv-NET conducts population-based surveillance for laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalizations in children (persons younger than 18 years) and adults. The current network covers over 80 counties in the 10 Emerging Infections Program (EIP) states (CA, CO, CT, GA, MD, MN, NM, NY, OR, and TN) and six additional states (ID, MI, OH, OK, RI, and UT). The current season’s rates include cases from October 1, 2010 to January 4, 2011.
