Burden of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) in the Community
* While the percentage of ILI reported by the emergency department (ED) surveillance system decreased compared to the previous week, the current rate (10.6%) remains considerably elevated above the seasonal peak experienced during the 2008/9 influenza season.
* The percent of patients presenting at sentinel providers with ILI (13.1%) is at its highest level since the inception of this surveillance system.
* Previously, the highest report of percent ILI (10.9%) occurred during the 1998/99 season. That year the influenza A Sydney (H3N2) strain was not included in the seasonal influenza vaccine. It became the dominant strain over the winter of 1998/99 and caused considerable amounts of illness.
* University-affiliated sentinel sites reported lower levels of ILI in their patient populations compared to other sentinel sites.
* This is in contrast to the first six weeks of reporting this data, where university-affiliated sentinel sites consistently reported higher ILI rates compared to other sentinel sites.
Severity of Influenza-Like Illness and/or Pneumonia in the Community
* The rate of ILI and/or pneumonia-related hospitalizations per 100 inpatient beds increased 41.3% compared to the weighted moving average from the previous three weeks.
* This increase is probably related to the significantly elevated percentages of ILI reported by the sentinel and emergency department systems over the previous couple of weeks.
* The 0-18 years and 25-64 years age groups surpassed the 65 years and older age group as having the highest rates of hospitalizations associated with ILI and pneumonia.
* These increases are probably due to the increased burden younger populations are experiencing with the spread of 2009 H1N1 in our community.
* 74% of reporting hospitals stated that the number of ILI-related hospitalizations is currently “slightly elevated” or “elevated” compared to previous years. This is compared to 59% during the previous reporting week.
* 6% of hospitals (2/35) with “slightly elevated” or “elevated” burdens of ILI-related hospitalizations are reporting that they are having increased difficulty (4 or 5) with managing this patient population.
* 9 confirmed influenza-related deaths were reported during Week 43 (total of 20 since June 1, 2009). All were confirmed 2009 H1N1 deaths (total of 19 since June 1, 2009).
Effect of Influenza-like Illness on Populations at Risk
* ILI-related absentee rates in health care personnel increased by 35% compared to the weighted moving average from the previous three weeks (1.35 compared to 1.00 ILI-related absences per 100 employees).
* 9 Indiana schools (K-12) reported having at least one day with a 20% or higher absenteeism rate during week 43.
* A total of 86 schools have reported having at least one day (during any given week) with a 20% or higher absenteeism rate since September 14, 2009.
Laboratory and Vaccination Information
* During week 43, 100% (77/77) of specimens that were positive for influenza were 2009 H1N1.
* Since September 1, 2009, 98% (325/332) of specimens that were positive for influenza were 2009 H1N1.
* Other respiratory viruses are circulating in addition to influenza.
* As of November 3, a total of 205,513 2009 H1N1 vaccinations had been given in Indiana.
* Persons 6 months to 24 years of age have received 52% of the vaccinations.
* Health care and EMS workers have received 29% of the vaccinations.
* Pregnant women have received only 5% of the vaccinations.
http://www.in.gov/flu/2442.htm
* While the percentage of ILI reported by the emergency department (ED) surveillance system decreased compared to the previous week, the current rate (10.6%) remains considerably elevated above the seasonal peak experienced during the 2008/9 influenza season.
* The percent of patients presenting at sentinel providers with ILI (13.1%) is at its highest level since the inception of this surveillance system.
* Previously, the highest report of percent ILI (10.9%) occurred during the 1998/99 season. That year the influenza A Sydney (H3N2) strain was not included in the seasonal influenza vaccine. It became the dominant strain over the winter of 1998/99 and caused considerable amounts of illness.
* University-affiliated sentinel sites reported lower levels of ILI in their patient populations compared to other sentinel sites.
* This is in contrast to the first six weeks of reporting this data, where university-affiliated sentinel sites consistently reported higher ILI rates compared to other sentinel sites.
Severity of Influenza-Like Illness and/or Pneumonia in the Community
* The rate of ILI and/or pneumonia-related hospitalizations per 100 inpatient beds increased 41.3% compared to the weighted moving average from the previous three weeks.
* This increase is probably related to the significantly elevated percentages of ILI reported by the sentinel and emergency department systems over the previous couple of weeks.
* The 0-18 years and 25-64 years age groups surpassed the 65 years and older age group as having the highest rates of hospitalizations associated with ILI and pneumonia.
* These increases are probably due to the increased burden younger populations are experiencing with the spread of 2009 H1N1 in our community.
* 74% of reporting hospitals stated that the number of ILI-related hospitalizations is currently “slightly elevated” or “elevated” compared to previous years. This is compared to 59% during the previous reporting week.
* 6% of hospitals (2/35) with “slightly elevated” or “elevated” burdens of ILI-related hospitalizations are reporting that they are having increased difficulty (4 or 5) with managing this patient population.
* 9 confirmed influenza-related deaths were reported during Week 43 (total of 20 since June 1, 2009). All were confirmed 2009 H1N1 deaths (total of 19 since June 1, 2009).
Effect of Influenza-like Illness on Populations at Risk
* ILI-related absentee rates in health care personnel increased by 35% compared to the weighted moving average from the previous three weeks (1.35 compared to 1.00 ILI-related absences per 100 employees).
* 9 Indiana schools (K-12) reported having at least one day with a 20% or higher absenteeism rate during week 43.
* A total of 86 schools have reported having at least one day (during any given week) with a 20% or higher absenteeism rate since September 14, 2009.
Laboratory and Vaccination Information
* During week 43, 100% (77/77) of specimens that were positive for influenza were 2009 H1N1.
* Since September 1, 2009, 98% (325/332) of specimens that were positive for influenza were 2009 H1N1.
* Other respiratory viruses are circulating in addition to influenza.
* As of November 3, a total of 205,513 2009 H1N1 vaccinations had been given in Indiana.
* Persons 6 months to 24 years of age have received 52% of the vaccinations.
* Health care and EMS workers have received 29% of the vaccinations.
* Pregnant women have received only 5% of the vaccinations.
http://www.in.gov/flu/2442.htm