Homepage: https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Infectious...and-Statistics
2018-2019 Influenza Season, Update for Week 43*
(Week ending Saturday, 10/27/2018)
Key Points
Classification of Connecticut geographic activity is sporadic** for week 43.
Influenza activity has been slowly increasing in Connecticut since the end of August.
Influenza A viruses are the predominate type circulating although some influenza B viruses are also being
reported.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports the percentage of people nationally
seeing their health care provider with influenza-like-illness (ILI) is low at 1.5%, below the national
threshold for elevated activity.
November is a good time for you and your family to obtain your flu vaccine and take steps to prevent
influenza-related illness and hospitalization: https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Immunizati...onal-Influenza
The Department of Public Health (DPH) uses multiple surveillance systems to monitor circulating flu viruses
throughout the year. All data are considered preliminary and updated with available information each week
starting in October and ending in May.
The percentage of statewide emergency department visits attributed to the ?fever/flu syndrome? increased
from 5.1% in week 35 to 6.0% during week 43 (Figure 1). Please note that during 2017-2018, 18 additional
emergency department facilities began sending data to the EpiCenter, which replaced the Hospital
Emergency Department Syndromic Surveillance (HEDSS) System. The previous baseline of 5% should no
longer be used as a threshold for increased fever/flu activity. Caution should be used when comparing
EpiCenter surveillance data to historical HEDSS data.
The percentage of outpatient visits with influenza-like illness (ILI) is currently 1.4%; above the level of 1%,
generally considered the minimum threshold for elevated influenza-associated visits in the outpatient setting
in Connecticut (Figure 2).
To date, a total of 28 hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed influenza admitted between August 26
and October 27, 2018 have been reported. Of these, 20 were associated with type A (subtype unspecified), 4
with influenza A (H3N2), and 4 with influenza B viruses. No new flu-associated deaths were reported this
week. Of the two flu-associated deaths reported this season, one was an individual greater than 65 years of
age and one in an individual 50-64 years of age (Figures 3 & 4).
A total of 60 influenza positive laboratory tests have been reported during the current season (August 26 ?
October 27, 2018): Hartford County (21), New Haven (21), Fairfield (9), Litchfield (4), Windham (3),
Middlesex (1), and Tolland (1). Of the positive reports 42 were influenza A (subtype unspecified), 4 were
influenza A (H3N2), and 14 were influenza B. To date, no influenza A (2009 H1N1) has been identified
this season (Figures 5 & 6).
...
2018-2019 Influenza Season, Update for Week 43*
(Week ending Saturday, 10/27/2018)
Key Points
Classification of Connecticut geographic activity is sporadic** for week 43.
Influenza activity has been slowly increasing in Connecticut since the end of August.
Influenza A viruses are the predominate type circulating although some influenza B viruses are also being
reported.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports the percentage of people nationally
seeing their health care provider with influenza-like-illness (ILI) is low at 1.5%, below the national
threshold for elevated activity.
November is a good time for you and your family to obtain your flu vaccine and take steps to prevent
influenza-related illness and hospitalization: https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Immunizati...onal-Influenza
The Department of Public Health (DPH) uses multiple surveillance systems to monitor circulating flu viruses
throughout the year. All data are considered preliminary and updated with available information each week
starting in October and ending in May.
The percentage of statewide emergency department visits attributed to the ?fever/flu syndrome? increased
from 5.1% in week 35 to 6.0% during week 43 (Figure 1). Please note that during 2017-2018, 18 additional
emergency department facilities began sending data to the EpiCenter, which replaced the Hospital
Emergency Department Syndromic Surveillance (HEDSS) System. The previous baseline of 5% should no
longer be used as a threshold for increased fever/flu activity. Caution should be used when comparing
EpiCenter surveillance data to historical HEDSS data.
The percentage of outpatient visits with influenza-like illness (ILI) is currently 1.4%; above the level of 1%,
generally considered the minimum threshold for elevated influenza-associated visits in the outpatient setting
in Connecticut (Figure 2).
To date, a total of 28 hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed influenza admitted between August 26
and October 27, 2018 have been reported. Of these, 20 were associated with type A (subtype unspecified), 4
with influenza A (H3N2), and 4 with influenza B viruses. No new flu-associated deaths were reported this
week. Of the two flu-associated deaths reported this season, one was an individual greater than 65 years of
age and one in an individual 50-64 years of age (Figures 3 & 4).
A total of 60 influenza positive laboratory tests have been reported during the current season (August 26 ?
October 27, 2018): Hartford County (21), New Haven (21), Fairfield (9), Litchfield (4), Windham (3),
Middlesex (1), and Tolland (1). Of the positive reports 42 were influenza A (subtype unspecified), 4 were
influenza A (H3N2), and 14 were influenza B. To date, no influenza A (2009 H1N1) has been identified
this season (Figures 5 & 6).
...
Comment