#14,616
Meanwhile, back in the United States, visits for ILI (Influenza-Like-Illness) continue to climb like a homesick angel (see chart above), with influenza B (unusually) still most commonly reported, followed by A/H1N1. The number of states reporting high levels of ILI has expanded from 28 last week, to 37 this week.
From today's Flu View report:
Five influenza-associated pediatric deaths occurring in weeks 50 (the week ending December 14, 2019) and 51 (the week ending December 21, 2019) were reported to CDC during week 52. Three were associated with influenza A viruses and two were associated with influenza B viruses.
A total of 27 influenza-associated pediatric deaths occurring during the 2019-2020 season have been reported to CDC.
- Eighteen deaths were associated with influenza B viruses. Five of these had the lineage determined and all were B/Victoria viruses.
- Nine deaths were associated with influenza A viruses. Four of these had subtyping performed and all were A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses.
Reporting on cases may be delayed due to the Christmas holidays, and so these numbers are probably preliminary, and could change. Despite the widespread activity, the severity of this year's flu season remains only moderate. That could change, as well.
The CDC offers the following key points in today's report:
Key Points
- Influenza activity is high nationally with outpatient visits for ILI and the percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza at levels similar to what have been seen at the peak of recent seasons. However, this week’s data may in part be influenced by changes in healthcare seeking behavior that can occur during the holidays.
- Influenza B/Victoria viruses are predominant nationally, which is unusual for this time of year. A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses are the next most common. A(H3N2) and B/Yamagata viruses are circulating at very low levels.
- CDC estimates that so far this season there have been at least 6.4 million flu illnesses, 55,000 hospitalizations and 2,900 deaths from flu.
- It’s not too late to get vaccinated. Flu vaccination is always the best way to prevent flu and its potentially serious complications.
- Antiviral medications are an important adjunct to flu vaccine in the control of influenza. Almost all (>99%) of the influenza viruses tested this season are susceptible to the four FDA-approved influenza antiviral medications recommended for use in the U.S. this season.
With the end of the extended winter holidays, and a return of millions of students to schools, we could easily see several more weeks of heavy flu activity ahead. Longer, perhaps, if one of the influenza A viruses (likely H1N1) makes a end of season surge.
As always, it isn't too late to get a flu shot, since there could be a couple of more months of flu still ahead.Now is also the time to rigorously practice good flu hygiene. Stay home if you are sick, avoid crowds, wash your hands frequently, and cover your coughs and sneezes.
If you do get sick, call your doctor. Early treatment with antivirals can shorten your illness, and for some patients, can be life saving.
