# 5458
Although influenza season is winding down in the northern hemisphere the latest FluView report from the CDC indicates that this year’s visitation isn’t completely over.
Pediatric deaths, once again, were above average with 12 reported during the last surveillance week.
This year, there have been at least 89 children under the age of 18 killed by influenza in the United States. While fewer than during the pandemic (n=282) this is at the upper end of the numbers reported in recent years with several reporting weeks left to go.
A few excerpts follow from this week’s report ending March 26th.
2010-2011 Influenza Season Week 12 ending March 26, 2011
All data are preliminary and may change as more reports are received.
Synopsis:
During week 12 (March 20-26, 2011), influenza activity in the United States decreased.
- Of the 5,319 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, 737 (13.9%) were positive for influenza.
- The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) has been at or above the epidemic threshold for the ninth consecutive week.
- Twelve influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported, bringing the season total to 89. Four of these deaths were associated with influenza B viruses; four were associated with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) viruses; one was associated with influenza A (H3N2) virus, and three were associated with an influenza A virus for which the subtype was not determined.
- The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) was 2.0%, below the national baseline of 2.5%. Two of the 10 regions (Regions 2 and 10) reported ILI at or above region-specific baseline levels. One state experienced high ILI activity; three states experienced low ILI activity; 46 states and New York City experienced minimal ILI activity, and the District of Columbia had insufficient data.
- The geographic spread of influenza in 10 states was reported as widespread; 21 states reported regional influenza activity; the District of Columbia and 12 states reported local influenza activity, and Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and six states reported sporadic influenza activity.
Pneumonia and Influenza (P&I) Mortality Surveillance
During week 12, 8.7% of all deaths reported through the 122-Cities Mortality Reporting System were due to P&I. This percentage was above the epidemic threshold of 8.0% for week 12 and is the ninth consecutive week in which P&I has been at or above the epidemic threshold.
Influenza-Associated Pediatric Mortality
Twelve influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported to CDC during week 12. Four of these deaths were associated with influenza B viruses, four were associated with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus, one was associated with influenza A (H3N2) viruses, and three were associated with an influenza A virus for which the subtype was not determined.
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