Texas Influenza Surveillance 2015-16

[Ronan Kelly]

March 14, 2016 NEWS RELEASE
El Paso Records First Flu-Related Death this Season
Residents reminded to get vaccinated, practice flu-prevention measures

EL PASO, Texas - The City of El Paso Department of Public Health has recorded the first flu-related death
in our area this season. The case involves a woman in her late 50?s who had underlying medical
conditions. She had tested positive for Influenza A/H1N1, and it is not known if she had received a flu
vaccine this year.

?Our heartfelt condolences go out to this woman?s family and friends,? said Robert Resendes, Public Health
Director. ?We continue to urge residents to do everything they can to prevent getting the flu so that we
don?t see more tragedies like this in El Paso.?
...

https://www.elpasotexas.gov/~/media/files/coep/public%20health/2016%20press%20releases/031416%20-el%20paso%20records%20first%20flu-related%20death%20this%20season.ashx

[Ronan Kelly]

2015?2016 Season Texas Influenza Surveillance Report
MMWR Week 10 (Mar. 6, 2016 ? Mar. 12, 2016)
Report produced on 3/18/2016

Summary
Influenza activity remains elevated across the state.Compared to the previous week, the percentage of specimens positive for influenza marginally increased and the percentage of patient visits due to influenza-like illness (ILI) somewhat decreased. It is too early to tell if influenza activity has peaked for the season. Five ILI/influenza-associated outbreaks and no influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported. In addition to flu, other respiratory viruses were detected in Texas during week 10.

Texas Surveillance Component	Change from Previous Week	Current Week	Previous Week?	Page of Report
Statewide influenza activity level reported to CDC (geographic spread of influenza)	Decreased	Regional	Widespread	--
Statewide ILINet Activity Indicator assigned by CDC (intensity of influenza-like illness)	Decreased	Low	Moderate	--
Percentage of specimens positive for influenza	▲0.89%	23.02%	22.13%?	1
Percentage of visits due to ILI (ILINet)	▼0.27%	5.68%	5.95%?	3
Number of regions reporting increased flu/ILI activity	▼2	1	3	5
Number of regions reporting decreased flu/ILI activity	▲2	3	1	5
Number of variant/novel influenza infections	No Change			5
Number of ILI/influenza outbreaks	▲4	5	1	5
Number of Pneumonia and Influenza (P&I) Deaths	▲237	237		6
Number of pediatric influenza deaths	No New Cases Reported			7

?Data displayed have been updated since last week?s flu report with any new reports received.
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/dis...eillance/2016/

[Ronan Kelly]

CONTACTS
Erikka D. Neroes, Public Information Officer
erikka.neroes@dallascounty.org
214.819.6329 (office) 214.394.8109 (cell)
Zachary Thompson, Director
214.755.9299 (cell)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DCHHS Reports First Pediatric Flu-related Death in Dallas County in 2015-2016 Season
DALLAS (March 24, 2016) ? Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) is reporting a 2-month-old Dallas
County resident?s death was flu-related. This is the first pediatric death in Dallas County for the 2015-2016 flu
season. For medical confidentiality and personal privacy reasons, DCHHS does not provide additional identifying
information.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the flu vaccine for all persons aged 6 months
and older, with rare exception. Individuals should discuss flu vaccine concerns with a health care provider.
The flu vaccine DCHHS provides is an all-in-one shot that protects against multiple flu strains including the H1N1
virus.
The adult vaccine is given in the adult immunization clinic on the first floor at the DCHHS building located at
2377 N. Stemmons Frwy. in Dallas. The children?s vaccine is available at all DCHHS immunization clinics. Clinic
hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Appointments aren?t necessary. For more information
call 214-819-2162.

http://www.dallascounty.org/department/hhs/press/documents/PR3-24-16DCHHSReportsFirstPediatricFlu-relatedDeathinDallasCountyin2015-2016Season.pdf

2015?2016 Season Texas Influenza Surveillance Report
MMWR Week 10 (Mar. 6, 2016 ? Mar. 12, 2016)
Report produced on 3/18/2016

Summary
Influenza activity remains elevated across the state.Compared to the previous week, the percentage of specimens positive for influenza marginally increased and the percentage of patient visits due to influenza-like illness (ILI) somewhat decreased. It is too early to tell if influenza activity has peaked for the season. Five ILI/influenza-associated outbreaks and no influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported. In addition to flu, other respiratory viruses were detected in Texas during week 10.

Texas Surveillance Component	Change from Previous Week	Current Week	Previous Week?	Page of Report
Statewide influenza activity level reported to CDC (geographic spread of influenza)	Decreased	Regional	Widespread	--
Statewide ILINet Activity Indicator assigned by CDC (intensity of influenza-like illness)	Decreased	Low	Moderate	--
Percentage of specimens positive for influenza	▲0.89%	23.02%	22.13%?	1
Percentage of visits due to ILI (ILINet)	▼0.27%	5.68%	5.95%?	3
Number of regions reporting increased flu/ILI activity	▼2	1	3	5
Number of regions reporting decreased flu/ILI activity	▲2	3	1	5
Number of variant/novel influenza infections	No Change			5
Number of ILI/influenza outbreaks	▲4	5	1	5
Number of Pneumonia and Influenza (P&I) Deaths	▲237	237		6
Number of pediatric influenza deaths	No New Cases Reported			7

?Data displayed have been updated since last week?s flu report with any new reports received.
...
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/dis...eillance/2016/

[Ronan Kelly]

2015?2016 Season Texas Influenza Surveillance Report
MMWR Week 11 (Mar. 13, 2016 ? Mar. 19, 2016)
Report produced on 3/25/2016

Summary
Influenza activity remains elevated across the state. Compared to the previous week, the percentage of specimens positive for influenza and the percentage of patient visits due to influenza-like illness (ILI) decreased slightly. It is too early to tell if influenza activity has peaked for the season. One influenza-associated pediatric death was reported. No ILI/influenza outbreaks were reported. In addition to flu, other respiratory viruses were detected in Texas during week 11.

Texas Surveillance Component	Change from Previous Week	Current Week	Previous Week?	Page of Report
Statewide influenza activity level reported to CDC (geographic spread of influenza)	No Change	Regional	Regional	--
Statewide ILINet Activity Indicator assigned by CDC (intensity of influenza-like illness)	No Change	Low	Low	--
Percentage of specimens positive for influenza	▼2.05%	20.67%	22.72%?	1
Percentage of visits due to ILI (ILINet)	▼0.29%	5.19%	5.48%?	3
Number of regions reporting increased flu/ILI activity	▼1		1	5
Number of regions reporting decreased flu/ILI activity	▲1	4	3	5
Number of variant/novel influenza infections	No Change			5
Number of ILI/influenza outbreaks	▼5		5	5
Number of Pneumonia and Influenza (P&I) Deaths	▼237		237	6
Number of pediatric influenza deaths	New Cases Reported	1		6

?Data displayed have been updated since last week?s flu report with any new reports received.
...
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/dis...eillance/2016/

[Ronan Kelly]

2nd flu-related death reported in El Paso
Daniel Borunda, El Paso Times 8:30 p.m. MDT April 28, 2016

El Paso has recorded its second flu-related death of the season, the city Department of Public Health said Thursday.

Public health officials said an El Paso woman in her early 50s who had underlying medical conditions died as a result of flu complications.
...

http://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/health/2016/04/28/2nd-flu-related-death-reported-el-paso/83674630/