Louisiana leads the nation in flu cases so far this year

[Pathfinder]

Louisiana leads the nation in flu cases so far this year

10:25 p.m. CST December 3, 2014

NEW ORLEANS ? Health officials say the state of Louisiana is seeing more cases of the flu than any other state in the country right now.
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"It's very unusual for us to get it here on the Gulf Coast before the rest of the country," said Dr. Gerry Cvitanovich, the Jefferson Parish coroner. "Usually, it will travel north to south or west to east. It doesn't usually start here."
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http://www.wwltv.com/story/news/health/2014/12/03/flu-louisiana/19874331/

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: Louisiana leads the nation in flu cases so far this year

Louisiana's flu cases stand out in the U.S.

Posted: Dec 03, 2014 5:16 PM CST Updated: Dec 03, 2014 5:59 PM CST
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The latest CDC report from late November shows Louisiana with the most widespread cases of influenza in the Continental U.S. The state is singled out as more and more people with symptoms show up at doctor's offices.
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"Personally, all the years I've watched a flu map, I've never seen flu start on the Gulf Coast. Usually it travels from north to south," said Dr. Gerry Cvitanovich.

Cvitanovich has been called into service at an urgent care center in Metairie to help deal with the increase. He says clinics are seeing 25 to 50 percent more patients than they normally do.
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http://www.fox8live.com/story/27541476/louisianas-flu-cases-stand-out-in-the-us

 

[Emily]

Re: Louisiana leads the nation in flu cases so far this year

It doesn't look like it's been unusually cold there:

http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KAUD/2014/11/4/MonthlyHistory.html#calendar

If anything, the highs and lows are higher than average. The dew point is higher than average, too.

 

[Emily]

Re: Louisiana leads the nation in flu cases so far this year

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/summary.htm

Below is a summary of the key flu indicators for the week ending November 22, 2014:
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Widespread influenza activity was reported by two states (Alaska and Louisiana).

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0034091#pone-0034091-g003

We found a statistically significant (p = 0.003) association between periods of low dew point temperature and above normal pneumonia and influenza mortality 17 days later. The duration (r = −0.61) and severity (r = −0.56) of high mortality episodes was inversely correlated with morning dew point temperature prior to and during the episodes. Weeks in which moist polar air masses were common (air masses characterized by low dew point temperatures) were likewise followed by above normal mortality 17 days later (p = 0.019). This research supports the contention that cold, dry air may be related to influenza mortality and suggests that warning systems could provide enough lead time to be effective in mitigating the effects.

Some much lower dew points in that time frame, if I have this right. (Maybe gsgs will see this and check it out.)

http://www.almanac.com/weather/history/LA/New%20Orleans/2014-11-02

http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KAUD/2014/10/29/CustomHistory.html?dayend=4&monthend=11&yearend=2014&req_city=NA&req_state=NA&req_statename=NA

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: Louisiana leads the nation in flu cases so far this year

Widespread flu outbreak hits Louisiana; vaccine not quite as effective

Matt M cKinney |
Dec. 08, 2014

As a widespread flu outbreak rages throughout Louisiana, health officials on Thursday said the vaccine might be less effective due to a mutation of the virus.

The ?widespread? designation doesn?t typically happen until January or February, said Dr. Marilyn Reynaud, regional administrator medical director with the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.

?It?s unpredictable when it starts every year, but we are definitely seeing an uptick in influenza reports,? Reynaud said.
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But an early start to flu season doesn?t provide researchers clues to the potential impact of the virus, said Dr. Raoult Ratard, the Louisiana state epidemiologist.

?There?s no connection to when it starts and the severity,? he said.
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While reports of the virus are flowing in across the state, it?s not clear why the outbreak has hit Louisiana particularly hard, said Dr. Frank Welch, medical director for the DHH immunization program.
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Influenza A (H3N2) is the most common strain of the virus reported so far this season. This strain has previously been tied to higher rates of hospitalization and death, Welch said.
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http://theadvocate.com/news/11002434-123/widespread-flu-outbreak-hits-louisiana