CDC H1N1 Flu Website Situation Update, October 2, 2009
CDC H1N1 Flu Website Situation Update, October 2, 2009
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 September 20-26, 2009, a review of the key indicators found that influenza activity remained elevated in the United States. Below is a summary of the most recent key indicators:
Visits to doctors for influenza-like illness (ILI) continued to increase in some areas of the country, and overall, are higher than levels expected for this time of the year.
Total influenza hospitalization rates for laboratory-confirmed influenza are higher than expected for this time of year for adults and children. And for children 5-17 and adults 18-49 years of age, hospitalization rates from April – September 2009 exceed average flu season rates (for October through April).
The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) based on the 122 Cities Report was low and within the bounds of what is expected at this time of year. However, 60 pediatric deaths related to 2009 H1N1 flu have been reported to CDC since April 2009, including 11 deaths reported this week.
Twenty-seven states are reporting widespread influenza activity at this time. They are: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming. Any reports of widespread influenza activity in September are very unusual.
Almost all of the influenza viruses identified so far are 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.
2009-2010 Influenza Season Triage Algorithm for Adults (>18 Years) With Influenza-Like Illness
This algorithm is designed to assist physicians and those under their supervision in identifying indicators of and responses to symptoms of flu-like illness (i.e., fever with cough or sore throat). (NOTE: this guidance is not intended for use by the general public and is not a substitute for sound clinical judgment.)
Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) are information sheets produced by CDC that explain to vaccine recipients, their parents, or their legal representatives both the benefits and risks of a vaccine.
U.S. Influenza and Pneumonia-Associated Hospitalizations and Deaths from August 30 – September 19, 2009 Posted October 2, 2009, 11:00 AM ET Data reported to CDC by October 2, 2009, 12:00 AM ET
Cases Defined by
Hospitalizations
Deaths
Influenza and Pneumonia Syndrome*
12,863
1,197
Influenza Laboratory-Tests**
3,311
182
Totals:
16,174
1,379
*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.
This table is based on data from a new influenza and pneumonia hospitalizations and deaths web-based reporting system that will be used to monitor trends in activity. This is the third week of data from this new system. The table shows aggregate reports of all influenza and pneumonia-associated 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.
This report provides an update to the international situation as of October 2, 2009. As of October 2, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) regions have reported over 343,298 laboratory-confirmed cases of 2009 H1N1 with at least 4,108 deaths, which is an increase of at least 24,373 cases and 191 deaths since September 20. The laboratory-confirmed cases represent a substantial underestimation of total cases in the world, as many countries focus surveillance and laboratory testing only on people with severe illness. The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus continues to be the dominant influenza virus in circulation in the world. From April 19 to September 19, 2009, 59.8% of influenza specimens reported to WHO were 2009 H1N1 viruses. In temperate regions of the Southern Hemisphere, disease due to 2009 H1N1 is declining or has returned to baseline. In tropical regions of the Americas and Asia, influenza activity due to 2009 H1N1 remains variable. In temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, there is increased influenza-like illness (ILI) activity due to 2009 H1N1 in many areas, including in most of the United States, parts of Mexico and Canada, some countries in Europe, and parts of Central and Western Asia.
2009-2010 Influenza Season Triage Algorithm for Adults (>18 Years) With Influenza-Like Illness (PDF) This algorithm is designed to assist physicians and those under their supervision in identifying indicators of and responses to symptoms of flu-like illness (i.e., fever with cough or sore throat). (NOTE: this guidance is not intended for use by the general public and is not a substitute for sound clinical judgment.)
Update: H1N1 Clinicians Questions and Answers The age for two doses is different for seasonal (6 months through 8 years) and 2009 H1N1 monovalent vaccine (6 months through 9 years) in the package inserts. Does CDC recommend that clinicians follow the recommendation in the package inserts? Can a person who has received LAIV test positive on a rapid influenza diagnostic test? And more...
U.S. Influenza and Pneumonia-Associated Hospitalizations and Deaths from September 20-26, 2009 As of 11:00 AM ET on October 2, 2009, CDC is reporting 16,174 hospitalizations and 1,379 deaths. This reports all influenza and pneumonia-associated hospitalizations and deaths (including 2009 H1N1 and seasonal flu) since August 30, 2009 received by CDC from U.S. states and territories.
2009 H1N1 Flu: International Situation Update This report provides an update to the international situation as of October 2, 2009. As of October 2, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) regions have reported over 343,298 laboratory-confirmed cases of 2009 H1N1 with at least 4,108 deaths.
Questions and Answers on 2009 H1N1 Vaccine Financing Considerations of financing distinguish between those related to the vaccine itself, the ancillary supplies needed to administer the vaccine, and the actual administration of the vaccine.
Preparing for the Flu: A Communication Toolkit for the Federal Workforce The purpose of Preparing for the Flu: A Communication Toolkit for the Federal Workforce is to provide information and communication resources to help federal agencies and employees implement recommendations from CDC in planning and responding to the 2009–2010 Influenza Season.
10-02-2009, 11:36 PM
CDC H1N1 Flu Website Situation Update, October 2, 2009
