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Source: http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-persp...c-deaths-noted
US flu numbers rise as 2 more pediatric deaths noted
Filed Under:
Influenza, General
Stephanie Soucheray | News Reporter | CIDRAP News
| Jan 20, 2017
Flu cases in the United States continued to climb, according to this week's Flu View report today from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Notably, the CDC reported two pediatric deaths in flu patients, prompting the center to remind parents and providers that all children over 6 month of age should be vaccinated against influenza. Last week, the CDC reported the first three pediatric deaths of the season.
One of the pediatric deaths happened in California, according to a press release from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). CDPH said the state is experiencing widespread influenza activity that is "more severe than last year." The department also said that hospitalizations for flu were 10.2%, the highest level recorded in 10 years.
"This is a tragic reminder that the flu is a serious illness for people of all ages and kills thousands of Americans each year," said CDPH State Public Health Officer Karen Smith, MD, MPH. "If you haven't been immunized yet this season, getting flu shots for you and your family now can still help protect you this winter."
More states reporting widespread activity
The number of states reporting widespread flu activity rose from 21 to 29. New York City is reporting high flulike illness (ILI), as are six states (Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Tennessee). Puerto Rico and eight states (Alabama, Alaska, Georgia, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming) experienced moderate ILI activity. Puerto Rico and 29 states are also reporting wide geographic spread of ILI.
This is the fifth consecutive week the CDC said all 10 of its regions are reporting above-baseline percentages of clinic visits for influenza-like illness (ILI). The proportion of people seeing their healthcare provider for ILI is 3.3%; the national baseline is 2.2%.
In week 2 of the 2017 flu season, 92% of all positive lab specimens were influenza A, while influenza B accounted for 8%. Since Oct 2, 2016, 86.4% of positive specimens have been influenza A, while 13.6% have been influenza B. Of subtyped influenza A samples, H3N2 remains the dominant, a strain that typically exacts the heaviest toll on young children and seniors.
The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza viruses in clinical laboratories during the week ending on Jan 14 was 15.3% nationally.
Hospitalization rates are climbing steadily, with the overall level now at 10.2 per 100,000 population. The level in seniors rose to 47.3 per 100,000 population, still well below the record of 313.8 per 100,000 population seen during the 2014-2015 flu season, which was also dominated by the H3N2 strain.
Europe: Flu widespread
Finally today, Flu News Europe, the weekly report from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) European regional office, reported that influenza continued to spread on the continent, with high or very high levels reported in 8 out of 44 reporting countries or regions and medium levels in 26 countries.
Of the specimens tested, the majority were influenza type A (97%) and, of those subtyped, 99% were A (H3N2).
See also:
Jan 20 CDC Flu View
Jan 20 CDC Flu View summary
Jan 20 CDPH flu page
Jan 20 Flu News Europe report
US flu numbers rise as 2 more pediatric deaths noted
Filed Under:
Influenza, General
Stephanie Soucheray | News Reporter | CIDRAP News
| Jan 20, 2017
Flu cases in the United States continued to climb, according to this week's Flu View report today from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Notably, the CDC reported two pediatric deaths in flu patients, prompting the center to remind parents and providers that all children over 6 month of age should be vaccinated against influenza. Last week, the CDC reported the first three pediatric deaths of the season.
One of the pediatric deaths happened in California, according to a press release from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). CDPH said the state is experiencing widespread influenza activity that is "more severe than last year." The department also said that hospitalizations for flu were 10.2%, the highest level recorded in 10 years.
"This is a tragic reminder that the flu is a serious illness for people of all ages and kills thousands of Americans each year," said CDPH State Public Health Officer Karen Smith, MD, MPH. "If you haven't been immunized yet this season, getting flu shots for you and your family now can still help protect you this winter."
More states reporting widespread activity
The number of states reporting widespread flu activity rose from 21 to 29. New York City is reporting high flulike illness (ILI), as are six states (Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Tennessee). Puerto Rico and eight states (Alabama, Alaska, Georgia, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming) experienced moderate ILI activity. Puerto Rico and 29 states are also reporting wide geographic spread of ILI.
This is the fifth consecutive week the CDC said all 10 of its regions are reporting above-baseline percentages of clinic visits for influenza-like illness (ILI). The proportion of people seeing their healthcare provider for ILI is 3.3%; the national baseline is 2.2%.
In week 2 of the 2017 flu season, 92% of all positive lab specimens were influenza A, while influenza B accounted for 8%. Since Oct 2, 2016, 86.4% of positive specimens have been influenza A, while 13.6% have been influenza B. Of subtyped influenza A samples, H3N2 remains the dominant, a strain that typically exacts the heaviest toll on young children and seniors.
The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza viruses in clinical laboratories during the week ending on Jan 14 was 15.3% nationally.
Hospitalization rates are climbing steadily, with the overall level now at 10.2 per 100,000 population. The level in seniors rose to 47.3 per 100,000 population, still well below the record of 313.8 per 100,000 population seen during the 2014-2015 flu season, which was also dominated by the H3N2 strain.
Europe: Flu widespread
Finally today, Flu News Europe, the weekly report from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) European regional office, reported that influenza continued to spread on the continent, with high or very high levels reported in 8 out of 44 reporting countries or regions and medium levels in 26 countries.
Of the specimens tested, the majority were influenza type A (97%) and, of those subtyped, 99% were A (H3N2).
See also:
Jan 20 CDC Flu View
Jan 20 CDC Flu View summary
Jan 20 CDPH flu page
Jan 20 Flu News Europe report