Arizona Influenza 2017-18; 11 fatalities, including 3 pediatric fatalities

[Ronan Kelly]

8 flu-related deaths in Pinal County, 1,000+ cases reported this season
abc15.com staff
11:01 AM, Jan 11, 2018
3 hours ago

PINAL COUNTY, AZ - Flu numbers across Pinal County are at "historically high" levels, with eight flu-related deaths and more than 1,000 cases reported this season, officials say.

MAP: Record number of flu cases in Arizona this season

County spokesman Joe Pyritz said the deaths, reported as of Wednesday, are concentrated in members of the public over 50 years old.
...
https://www.abc15.com/news/region-ce...ed-this-season

[JimO]

Arizona reports a total of three pediatric deaths in Maricopa County through Week 3.

[Ronan Kelly]

Nearly 500 Arizonans have died from flu, and a new strain may be emerging
In total, 23,000 flu cases have been recorded in the state, mostly among people 65 and older or 18 and younger.
Author: 12 News
Published: 1:47 PM MST February 16, 2018
This winter's flu season has been one of the worst we've seen in recent history, and it doesn't appear to be slowing.

The virus has already killed 461 Arizonans as of Friday.

According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, that's more than double the 200 we typically see in our state for a full season.
...

http://www.12news.com/article/news/health/nearly-500-arizonans-have-died-from-flu-and-a-new-strain-may-be-emerging/75-519764516

Week 6 (2/04/2018 ? 2/10/2018)
2017?2018 Influenza Season (10/01/2017 ? 9/29/2018)

Synopsis:
Influenza activity is elevated. Arizona reported Widespread Activity for week 6. Subscribe to the Flu & RSV report at
azhealth.gov/email.
Influenza activity highlights:

 The numbers in this report are based on processed cases. There are a large number of
reports that are still being processed.
 968 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza were reported in the past week, from 15
counties. 22,917 cases have been reported this season, with laboratory-confirmed cases
identified in 15 counties.
 19,807 (86%) reports this season are influenza A, 2,846 (12%) are influenza B, and 264 (2%)
are of unknown type.
 New data from the death certificate database were not available. To date, 461 pneumonia and
influenza deaths were identified this season.
 Two influenza-associated pediatric deaths have been reported for the 2017?2018 season
in Maricopa County residents. One case was PCR positive for influenza A (H3), and one for
influenza B/Victoria.
...

http://www.azdhs.gov/documents/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/flu/surveillance/2017-2018/influenza-2017-18-week6.pdf

[Ronan Kelly]

State sees rise in flu, pneumonia deaths as season continues

By Associated PressOriginally Published: February 25, 2018 4:48 a.m.

PHOENIX (AP) ? State health officials say there have been at least 523 pneumonia and flu deaths in Arizona so far during the current flu season, adding to over 200 more than at the same time last season.

The state Department of Health Service says many flu-related deaths are due to complications of flu infections such as pneumonia and that death certificates infrequently list influenza itself as the cause of death.
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https://kdminer.com/news/2018/feb/25/state-sees-rise-flu-pneumonia-deaths-season-contin/