# 3905
Although we’ll get an update tomorrow in Friday’s FluView report, today’s release of the MMWR indicates that 22 new pediatric influenza deaths were reported in the United States last week.
Some of those may be from previous weeks, as sometimes there is a bit of lag time in testing and reporting.
But the 5-year weekly average for this time of year is Zero.
Week 42: 22 new deaths reported
Cumulative 2009: 192 total deaths reported
By states: WI (1), SD (1), GA (1), FL (1), TN (2), TX (9), MT (1), AZ (3), WA (1), OH (1), GU (1)
These would be considered extraordinary numbers in the middle of February, to be occurring in October is particularly worrisome.
Since August 31st, the total is sadly 74 children lost to this virus.
Pediatric influenza deaths are the only notifiable flu deaths in the US, and so we have a much better handle on how many really are occurring around the country.
This is LAST WEEK’S chart (update comes tomorrow 10/30/09).
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