# 4193
The CDC has posted FluView for week 50, ending December 19th , 2009. The amount of ILI (Influenza-like-illness) activity we are seeing has decreased again for the eight straight week after four consecutive weeks of sharp gains, but is still slightly higher than normally seen this time of year.
P&I (pneumonia & Influenza) deaths decreased over the last week and has dropped below the epidemic threshold for the first time in eleven weeks.
There were nine pediatric flu-related fatalities added to this year’s count during the past week.
While the numbers here in the US, and also in Canada, reflect a winding down of the fall pandemic wave, what lies ahead is less clear. There are more than 4 more months remaining in flu season, and there are a number of possible scenarios (see Waiting For The Other Flu To Drop).
We’ll just have to wait to see. In the meantime, we’ll take any respite we can get. It should be noted that of the samples submitted for analysis, just under 7% tested positive for influenza.
Which means there are apparently a lot of flu-like illnesses in circulation right now, and having had one doesn’t guarantee you’ve developed immunity to the H1N1 virus.
I’ve excerpted some of the data and graphs below, but follow the link to read it in its entirety.
2009-2010 Influenza Season Week 50 ending December 19, 2009
All data are preliminary and may change as more reports are received.
Synopsis:
During week 50 (December 13-19, 2009), influenza activity continued to decrease in the U.S.
- 306 (6.9%) specimens tested by U.S. World Health Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) collaborating laboratories and reported to CDC/Influenza Division were positive for influenza.
- All subtyped influenza A viruses being reported to CDC were 2009 influenza A (H1N1) viruses.
- The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) was below the epidemic threshold.
- Nine influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported. Eight of these deaths were associated with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infection and one was associated with an influenza A virus for which the subtype was undetermined.
- The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) was 2.3% which is at the national baseline of 2.3%. Seven of the 10 regions (1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10) reported ILI below region-specific baseline levels.
- Seven states reported geographically widespread influenza activity, 18 states reported regional influenza activity, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 13 states reported local influenza activity, the U.S. Virgin Islands and 11 states reported sporadic influenza activity, Guam and one state reported no influenza activity.
Pneumonia and Influenza (P&I) Mortality Surveillance
During week 50, 7.2% of all deaths reported through the 122-Cities Mortality Reporting System were due to P&I. This percentage was below the epidemic threshold of 7.3% for week 50.
Influenza-Associated Pediatric Mortality
Nine influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported to CDC during week 50 (Iowa [3], New Jersey, New York [2], Ohio, South Carolina, and West Virginia). Eight of these deaths were associated with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infection and one was associated with an influenza A virus for which the subtype is undetermined. The deaths reported during week 50 occurred between October 11 and December 12, 2009.
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