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CDC H1N1 Flu Website Situation Update, December 19, 2009
Key Flu Indicators
Each week CDC analyzes information about influenza disease activity in the United States and publishes findings of key flu indicators in a report called FluView. During the week of December 6-12, 2009, influenza activity decreased over the previous week across all key indicators. Most indicators, however, remain higher than normal for this time of year. Below is a summary of the most recent key indicators:
- Visits to doctors for influenza-like illness (ILI) nationally decreased slightly this week over last week. This is the seventh consecutive week of national decreases in ILI after four consecutive weeks of sharp increases. While ILI has declined, visits to doctors for influenza-like illness remain slightly elevated nationally.
- Influenza hospitalizations and hospitalization rates decreased in all age groups.
- The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) based on the 122 Cities Report decreased over the previous week, but remains elevated for this time of year. This proportion has been higher than expected for eleven consecutive weeks. In addition, 9 flu-related pediatric deaths were reported this week: 8 of these deaths were associated with laboratory confirmed 2009 H1N1, and one was associated with an influenza A virus that was not subtyped. Since April 2009, CDC has received reports of 276 laboratory-confirmed pediatric deaths: 232 due to 2009 H1N1, 42 pediatric deaths that were laboratory confirmed as influenza, but the flu virus subtype was not determined, and two pediatric deaths that were associated with seasonal influenza viruses. Laboratory-confirmed deaths are thought to represent an undercount of the actual number. CDC has provided estimates about the number of 2009 H1N1 cases and related hospitalizations and deaths.
- Eleven states are reporting widespread influenza activity; a decline of three states from last week. They are: Alabama, Alaska, California, Delaware, Kentucky, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, and Virginia
- Almost all of the influenza viruses identified so far continue to be 2009 H1N1 influenza A viruses. These viruses remain similar to the virus chosen for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine, and remain susceptible to the antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir with rare exception.
*All data are preliminary and may change as more reports are received.
U.S. Situation Update
U.S. Patient Visits Reported for Influenza-like Illness (ILI)
U.S. Influenza-like Illness (ILI) Reported by Regions
| Cases Defined by | Hospitalizations | Deaths | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Influenza Laboratory-Tests** | 35,309 | 1,567 | |
| *Reports can be based on syndromic, admission or discharge data, or a combination of data elements that could include laboratory-confirmed and influenza-like illness hospitalizations. *Laboratory confirmation includes any positive influenza test (rapid influenza tests, RT-PCR, DFA, IFA, or culture), whether or not typing was done. The table shows aggregate reports of all laboratory confirmed influenza hospitalizations and deaths (including 2009 H1N1 and seasonal flu) since August 30, 2009 received by CDC from U.S. states and territories**. This table will be updated weekly each Friday at 11 a.m. For the 2009-2010 influenza season, states are reporting based on new case definitions for hospitalizations and deaths effective August 30, 2009. CDC will continue to use its traditional surveillance systems to track the progress of the 2009-2010 influenza season. For more information about influenza surveillance, including reporting of influenza-associated hospitalizations and deaths, see Questions and Answers: Monitoring Influenza Activity, Including 2009 H1N1. The number of 2009 H1N1 hospitalizations and deaths reported to CDC from April – August 2009 is available on the Past Situation Updates page. For state level information, refer to state health departments. International Human Cases of 2009 H1N1 Flu Infection **States report weekly to CDC either 1) laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalizations and deaths or 2) pneumonia and influenza syndrome-based cases of hospitalization and death resulting from all types or subtypes of influenza. Although only the laboratory confirmed cases are included in this report, CDC continues to analyze data both from laboratory confirmed and syndromic hospitalizations and deaths. | |||
| Date Reported | Laboratory-Confirmed 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pediatric Deaths | Laboratory-Confirmed Influenza A Subtype Unknown Pediatric Deaths | Laboratory-Confirmed Seasonal Influenza | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| This Week (Week 49, December 6-12, 2009) | 8 | 1 | 0 | 9 |
| Since August 30, 2009 | 172 | 39 | 1 | 212 |
| Cumulative since April 26, 2009 | 232 | 42 | 2 | 276 |
| This table is based on data reported to CDC through the Influenza-Associated Pediatric Mortality Surveillance System. Influenza-associated deaths in children (persons less than 18 years) was added as nationally notifiable condition in 2004. For more information about influenza-associated pediatric mortality, see FluView. | ||||
For more information about the U.S. situation, see the CDC H1N1 Flu U.S. Situation page.
International Situation Update
This report provides an update to the international situation as of December 18, 2009. The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to report laboratory-confirmed 2009 H1N1 flu cases and deaths on its Web page. These laboratory-confirmed cases represent a substantial underestimation of total cases in the world, as most countries focus surveillance and laboratory testing only on people with severe illness. The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus continues to be the dominant influenza virus in circulation in the world. For the most recent period in which data are available, from November 15 to December 5, 2009, 92.2% of influenza specimens reported to WHO were 2009 H1N1, 1% were seasonal A (H1), 0.9% were A (H3), 5.2% were influenza A viruses that were not subtyped, and 0.8% were influenza B viruses. In temperate regions of the Southern Hemisphere, sporadic cases of 2009 H1N1 have been reported in recent weeks but no sustained transmission has been observed. In tropical regions of the Americas and Asia, influenza activity due to 2009 H1N1 remains variable. In temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, influenza-like illness (ILI) activity due to 2009 H1N1 has passed its peak in North America and in parts of Western and Northern Europe, but activity continues to increase in parts of Central and Southeastern Europe, as well as in South and Central Asia.
For more information about the international situation, see the CDC H1N1 Flu International Situation page.
Recent Updates of Interest Additional Updates on the CDC H1N1 Flu Website To learn about other recent updates made to the CDC H1N1 Flu Website, please check the "What's New" page on the CDC H1N1 Flu website. Get H1N1 Updates & Health Tips via Text Message Text UPDATES to 87000 to sign up. To learn more, see www.cdc.gov/mobile. 
In collaboration with WebMD, experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are guest blogging and helping to answer questions on WebMD's Focus on Flu Blog. Check out recent CDC blog post by Anthony Fiore, MD, MPH, medical epidemiologist with the CDC's Influenza Division -- Data show H1N1 vaccine is as safe as the seasonal flu vaccines.
This report provides an update to the international situation as of December 18, 2009. The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to report updated 2009 H1N1 flu-associated laboratory-confirmed cases and deaths on its Web page.
During the week of December 6, 2009-December 12, 2009, flu activity declined in the United States as reported in FluView. The number of states reporting widespread flu activity decreased from 14 to 11.
Flu activity continued to decline in the United States during the week of December 6-12, 2009, as reported in FluView. The number of states reporting widespread flu activity decreased from 14 to 11. Visits to doctors for influenza-like illness, flu-associated hospitalizations, and flu-associated deaths all declined from the previous week, but remain elevated for this time of year.
These interim recommendations refer to patients who are severely immunosuppressed as a result of receiving treatment for malignancies; or as a result of receiving treatment related to solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplants; or as a result of autoimmune conditions and treatment. In addition to this guidance, there are documents available for caregivers of adult and adolescent HIV-infected patients as well as for patients with rheumatological diseases
This document features several questions and answers regarding the recent Sanofi Pasteur voluntary recall of the H1N1 Pediatric (0.25 mL, for 6-35 month olds) vaccine in pre-filled syringes.
This is a quick overview of what pregnant women need to know about 2009 H1N1 flu. It is in downloadable format for use in doctor's offices or by individuals.
This is a quick overview of what pregnant women need to know about 2009 H1N1 flu. It is in downloadable format for use in doctor's offices or by individuals.
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