Week 43, ending Oct 26, 2013
Novel influenza:
? Nineteen confirmed cases of influenza A H3N2v infection have been reported since June, 2013.
Ohio reported the most recent cases. Since being first identified in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 340 cases and one fatality. No cases of H3N2v infection have been reported in Florida. The H3N2v strain originates from influenza that circulates in pigs. Nearly all people infected with H3N2v have reported direct or indirect contact
with swine. No sustained human to human transmission has been identified. More information can
be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swineflu/h3n2v-cases.htm.
? For current information on novel or pandemic strains of influenza (including avian or swine origin influenza A) visit http://www.floridahealth.gov/disease...-from-animals/ novel-influenza-viruses.html.
State:
? Most Florida counties reported mild or no influenza activity. Twenty-four counties reported increasing influenza activity.
? Emergency department (ED) and urgent care center (UCC) influenza-like illness (ILI) visits have increased overall in recent weeks. Although in EDs and UCCs reporting to ESSENCE-FL, the statewide percent of ED visits for ILI is at or near typical levels for this time of year in all regions of Florida.
? In Florida, the most common influenza subtype detected at the Bureau of Public Health Laboratories (BPHL) in recent weeks has been influenza A (2009 H1N1).
? In week 43, 19 of 36 specimens submitted for influenza testing at BPHL tested PCR positive for influenza. Eight tested PCR positive for influenza A (2009 H1N1) and ten tested PCR positive for influenza A unspecified. In the 2012-2013 influenza season, Influenza B, influenza A (H3) and influenza A (2009 H1N1) were all detected. All of these are seasonal strains of influenza.
? Nationally (including Florida), almost all circulating influenza is a good match for the vaccine.
? One influenza outbreak (epidemiologically linked cases of influenza in a single setting) was reported in week 43.
? No pediatric influenza-associated deaths were reported in week 43. No pediatric influenza associated deaths have been reported in the 2013-2014 season.
? The preliminary estimated number of Florida deaths due to pneumonia or influenza in week 42 is lower than the seasonal baseline, based on previous years? data. Estimated deaths due to pneumonia and influenza are identified using preliminary death certificate data.
? Because of low influenza activity in most regions of the state, Florida reported sporadic influenza activity to CDC in week 43. This activity level represents the geographic spread of influenza in Florida.
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