New classification system for flu related deaths

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.mysouthwestga.com/news/story.aspx?list=~\news\lists\local&id=363704

H1N1 death numbers on the rise

A new classification system for flu related deaths will increase H1N1 flu death numbers
By Romney Smith
Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 10:38 p.m.

Southwest Georgia has 3 confirmed deaths related to the H1N1 flu and health officials say the number of deaths may increase in the near future.

District Health Director Dr. Jacqueline Grant says there is a new classification system for anyone who dies with both flu and it?s having a direct impact on the numbers of H1N1 deaths.

?Our numbers have changed a little bit because we?re including influenza and H1N1 because we aren?t confirming every flu case to be H1N1 or the seasonal flu? says Dr. Grant.

Since the new classification system calls for the numbers of H1N1 deaths to combine with seasonal flu deaths it will appear as if the H1N1 death toll.

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: New classification system for flu related deaths

For week 39, nationally of 1,551 subtyped A samples 1,549 were H1N1, 1 was H1, 1 was H3, (and 9 were influenza B). Grant's statement muddies the waters, implies that seasonal flu is playing a much greater part.

"During week 39, seasonal influenza A (H1), A (H3) and influenza B viruses co-circulated at low levels with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) viruses. Over 99% of all subtyped influenza A viruses reported to CDC this week were 2009 influenza A (H1N1) viruses."
http://cdc.gov/flu/weekly/