CDC H1N1 Flu Website Situation Update, February 21, 2010

[CDC <cdc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Title: CDC H1N1 Flu Website Situation Update, February 21, 2010

You are subscribed to updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

CDC H1N1 Flu Website Situation Update, February 21, 2010 

Key Flu Indicators

Each week CDC analyzes information about influenza disease activity in the United States and publishes findings of key flu indicators in a report called FluView. During the week of February 7 – February 13, 2010, most key flu indicators remained about the same as during the previous week. Below is a summary of the most recent key indicators:

• Visits to doctors for influenza-like illness (ILI) nationally increased slightly this week over last week, but are still low for this time of year. The national increase in ILI was driven by elevated ILI in regions 4, 7, and 9. Region 4 is comprised of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Region 7 is comprised of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska, and region 9 is comprised of Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada
• Laboratory-confirmed hospitalizations rates have leveled off and very few hospitalizations were reported by states during the week ending February 13.
• The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) based on the 122 Cities Report increased slightly over the previous week but remains lower than expected for this time of year. In addition, another two flu-related pediatric deaths were reported this week: both deaths were associated with laboratory-confirmed 2009 H1N1. Since April 2009, CDC has received reports of 326 laboratory-confirmed pediatric deaths: 277 due to 2009 H1N1, 47 pediatric deaths that were laboratory confirmed as influenza, but the flu virus subtype was not determined, and two pediatric deaths that were associated with seasonal influenza viruses. (Laboratory-confirmed deaths are thought to represent an undercount of the actual number. CDC has provided estimates about the number of 2009 H1N1 cases and related hospitalizations and deaths.
• No states reported widespread influenza activity. Three states reported regional influenza activity. They are: Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina.
• Almost all of the influenza viruses identified so far continue to be 2009 H1N1 influenza A viruses. These viruses remain similar to the virus chosen for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine, and remain susceptible to the antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir with rare exception.

*All data are preliminary and may change as more reports are received.

Learn more >> 

U.S. Situation Update

Weekly Flu Activity Estimates

U.S. Patient Visits Reported for Influenza-like Illness (ILI)

U.S. Influenza-like Illness (ILI) Reported by Regions

Laboratory Confirmed Influenza-Associated Hospitalizations
and Deaths from August 30 2009 to February 13, 2010
Posted February 19, 2010, 11:00 AM ET
Data reported to CDC by February 16, 2010, 12:00 AM ET

Cases Defined by	Hospitalizations	Deaths
Influenza Laboratory-Tests**	40,302	1,966
*Reports can be based on syndromic, admission or discharge data, or a combination of data elements that could include laboratory-confirmed and influenza-like illness hospitalizations. *Laboratory confirmation includes any positive influenza test (rapid influenza tests, RT-PCR, DFA, IFA, or culture), whether or not typing was done. The table shows aggregate reports of all laboratory confirmed influenza hospitalizations and deaths (including 2009 H1N1 and seasonal flu) since August 30, 2009 received by CDC from U.S. states and territories**. This table will be updated weekly each Friday at 11 a.m. For the 2009-2010 influenza season, states are reporting based on new case definitions for hospitalizations and deaths effective August 30, 2009. CDC will continue to use its traditional surveillance systems to track the progress of the 2009-2010 influenza season. For more information about influenza surveillance, including reporting of influenza-associated hospitalizations and deaths, see Questions and Answers: Monitoring Influenza Activity, Including 2009 H1N1. The number of 2009 H1N1 hospitalizations and deaths reported to CDC from April – August 2009 is available on the Past Situation Updates page. For state level information, refer to state health departments. International Human Cases of 2009 H1N1 Flu Infection See: World Health Organization. **States report weekly to CDC either 1) laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalizations and deaths or 2) pneumonia and influenza syndrome-based cases of hospitalization and death resulting from all types or subtypes of influenza. Although only the laboratory confirmed cases are included in this report, CDC continues to analyze data both from laboratory confirmed and syndromic hospitalizations and deaths.

 

U.S. Influenza-associated Pediatric Mortality
Posted February 19, 2010 (Updated Weekly)
Data reported to CDC by February 13, 2010

Date Reported	Laboratory-Confirmed 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pediatric Deaths	Laboratory-Confirmed Influenza A Subtype Unknown Pediatric Deaths	Laboratory-Confirmed Seasonal Influenza	Total
This Week  (Week 6, February 7, to February 13, 2010)	2	0	0	2
Since August 30, 2009	217	44	1	262
Cumulative since April 26, 2009	277	47	2	326
This table is based on data reported to CDC through the Influenza-Associated Pediatric Mortality Surveillance System. Influenza-associated deaths in children (persons less than 18 years) was added as nationally notifiable condition in 2004. For more information about influenza-associated pediatric mortality, see FluView.

For more information about the U.S. situation, see the CDC H1N1 Flu U.S. Situation page.

International Situation Update

This report provides an update to the international situation using data collected through February 14, 2010, and reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) on February 19. WHO continues to report laboratory-confirmed 2009 H1N1 flu cases and deaths on its Web page. These laboratory-confirmed cases represent a substantial underestimation of total cases in the world, as most countries focus surveillance and laboratory testing only on people with severe illness.

In nearly all countries of the world where influenza infection is reported, the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus continues to predominate among all subtyped influenza A viruses. Based on FluNet data collected by 27 countries from January 31, 2010 to February 6, 2010, 93% of specimens testing positive for influenza were typed as influenza A and 7% as influenza B.  Out of all subtyped influenza A viruses, 97% were 2009 H1N1 positive.

In temperate regions of the Southern Hemisphere, sporadic cases of 2009 H1N1 continue to be reported but no substantial increases in influenza activity have been observed. In the temperate Northern Hemisphere, active but declining 2009 H1N1 influenza transmission persists in certain areas of Eastern and Southern Europe, South Asia, and East Asia. In tropical regions of Asia, several countries reported an increasing trend of influenza activity but overall intensity remains low. An increasing trend in influenza activity was reported by several countries in West Africa, Thailand, and Jamaica. 

For more information about the international situation, see the CDC H1N1 Flu International Situation page.

Recent Updates of Interest

• UPDATE: 2009 H1N1 Flu International Situation Update
  This report provides an update to the international situation as of February 13, 2010. The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to report updated 2009 H1N1 flu-associated laboratory-confirmed cases and deaths on its Web page.
• UPDATE: Weekly FluView Map and Surveillance Report for Week Ending February 13, 2010
  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.
• UPDATE: Influenza and Pneumonia-Associated Hospitalizations and Deaths from August 30, 2009 to February 13, 2010
  FluView reports that for the week of February 7 - February 13, 2010, flu activity in the United States was relatively low, with most flu continuing to be caused by 2009 H1N1. Flu activity, caused by either 2009 H1N1 or seasonal flu viruses, may rise and fall, but is expected to continue for weeks. It's possible that the United States could experience another wave of flu activity, or more likely, localized outbreaks of 2009 H1N1 in communities that have been relatively unaffected by illness thus far, or where 2009 H1N1 vaccination rates may have been lower.
• MMWR: Outbreak of 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) on a Peruvian Navy Ship -- June - July 2009
  Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) February 19, 2010 / 59(06);162-165
• Questions and Answers: Flu-Related Hospitalizations and Deaths in the United States from April 2009 - January 30, 2010
  This Q&A provides updated information about flu-related hospitalizations and deaths in the United States reported to CDC from April 2009 - January 30, 2010.

Additional Updates on the CDC H1N1 Flu Website

To learn about other recent updates made to the CDC H1N1 Flu Website, please check the "What's New" page on the CDC H1N1 Flu website.

---

Get H1N1 Updates & Health Tips via Text Message

Sign up to get health updates sent via text message. Messages are sent about three times a week with relevant H1N1 flu updates and timely health tips.

Text UPDATES to 87000 to sign up.

To learn more, see www.cdc.gov/mobile.

---

Modify/Update Subscriber Preferences  |  Unsubscribe  |  Send Feedback  |  Learn more about CDC Email Updates
 
To receive the latest news for your region, please update your profile with your country, state and zip code.
 
Questions or problems?  Please contact support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

Fight Flu with Facts! • Visit Flu.gov Call 800-232-4636 • Text UPDATES to 87000

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) · 1600 Clifton Rd · Atlanta GA 30333 · 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)