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Philadelphia Department of Public Health Division of Disease Control
Health Advisory
Influenza transmission has begun locally
December 5, 2012
Surveillance Summary
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) conducts virologic surveillance for respiratory viruses, as well as syndromic surveillance for influenza-like illness among emergency departments and pediatric ambulatory clinics. Within the last week, local hospital laboratories have identified 15 influenza positive specimens, and reports of influenza-like illnesses at emergency departments and pediatric ambulatory clinics have also increased (figure). Confirmatory testing indicates that the majority of influenza strains circulating in the area are influenza A. The Pennsylvania Department of Health has also reported increasing influenza activity, with the number of reported cases of influenza more than doubling from 76 to 173 in weeks 47 and 48, respectively. Nationally, CDC reports that 15.2% of specimens tested positive for influenza, up slightly from the previous week. Four states, including New York, have reported widespread influenza activity.
Antigenic characterization by the CDC virology laboratory indicates that the circulating influenza A/H3N2, 2009 H1N1, and influenza B closely match the strains included in this year?s vaccine. Vaccination remains the optimal way to prevent influenza and influenza-related complications. It is not too late to administer influenza vaccine to patients. Vaccine is still readily available in Philadelphia. Healthcare providers enrolled in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program through PDPH can order additional vaccine throughout the season. Please visit http://kids.phila.gov/vfc.aspx for more information.
For additional surveillance data or to report institutional outbreaks of respiratory illness, severe or fatal influenza, please contact the Division of Disease Control at (215) 685-6740 or visit the Health Information Portal at https://hip.phila.gov/xv/.
Philadelphia Department of Public Health Division of Disease Control
Health Advisory
Influenza transmission has begun locally
December 5, 2012
Surveillance Summary
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) conducts virologic surveillance for respiratory viruses, as well as syndromic surveillance for influenza-like illness among emergency departments and pediatric ambulatory clinics. Within the last week, local hospital laboratories have identified 15 influenza positive specimens, and reports of influenza-like illnesses at emergency departments and pediatric ambulatory clinics have also increased (figure). Confirmatory testing indicates that the majority of influenza strains circulating in the area are influenza A. The Pennsylvania Department of Health has also reported increasing influenza activity, with the number of reported cases of influenza more than doubling from 76 to 173 in weeks 47 and 48, respectively. Nationally, CDC reports that 15.2% of specimens tested positive for influenza, up slightly from the previous week. Four states, including New York, have reported widespread influenza activity.
Antigenic characterization by the CDC virology laboratory indicates that the circulating influenza A/H3N2, 2009 H1N1, and influenza B closely match the strains included in this year?s vaccine. Vaccination remains the optimal way to prevent influenza and influenza-related complications. It is not too late to administer influenza vaccine to patients. Vaccine is still readily available in Philadelphia. Healthcare providers enrolled in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program through PDPH can order additional vaccine throughout the season. Please visit http://kids.phila.gov/vfc.aspx for more information.
For additional surveillance data or to report institutional outbreaks of respiratory illness, severe or fatal influenza, please contact the Division of Disease Control at (215) 685-6740 or visit the Health Information Portal at https://hip.phila.gov/xv/.
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