Error processing SSI file
Error processing SSI file
Weekly Report: Influenza Summary Update
Week ending January 5, 2002-Week 1
The following information may be quoted:
Synopsis:
During week 1 (December 30, 2001-January 5, 2002)*, 94 (7.3%) of 1281 respiratory specimens tested by WHO and NREVSS laboratories were positive for influenza. The overall proportion of patient visits to sentinel physicians for influenza-like illness (ILI) was 2.4%, which is above the national baseline of 1.9%. The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza was 6.7%, which is below the epidemic threshold of 8.0% for week 1. One state and territorial health department reported widespread influenza activity, 11 reported regional activity, 32 reported sporadic activity, and 2 states reported no influenza activity **.
Laboratory Surveillance*:
During week 1, WHO and NREVSS laboratories reported 1281 specimens tested for influenza viruses. Thirty-four influenza A (H3N2) viruses and 60 unsubtyped influenza A viruses were identified.
Since September 30, WHO and NREVSS laboratories have tested a total of 19,815 specimens for influenza viruses and 617 (3.1%) were positive. Of the 617 isolates identified, 602 (98%) were influenza A viruses and 15 (2%) were influenza B viruses. Two hundred and seventy-four (46%) of the 602 influenza A viruses identified have been subtyped; 268 (98%) were influenza A (H3N2) viruses and 6 (2%) were influenza A (H1N1) viruses. Three hundred and sixteen (51%) of the 617 U.S. isolates were reported from the Pacific region.*** One hundred and fifty-three (25%) of the 617 isolates reported were identified in Alaska and 142 (23%) were identified in Hawaii. Thirty-six states have reported laboratory-confirmed influenza.
Antigenic Characterization:
CDC antigenically characterized 10 influenza viruses collected in September and 23 collected since October: 30 influenza A (H3N2) viruses, 2 influenza A (H1N1) viruses, and 1 influenza B virus. All viruses were similar to the vaccine strains A/Panama/2007/99 (H3N2), A/New Caledonia/ 20/99 (H1N1), and B/Sichuan/379/99, respectively.
Pneumonia and Influenza (P&I) Mortality Surveillance:
During week 1, the percentage of all deaths due to pneumonia and influenza as reported by the vital statistics offices of 122 U.S. cities was 6.7%. This percentage is below the epidemic threshold of 8.0% for week 1.
Influenza-like Illness Surveillance *:
During week 1, 2.4% of patient visits to U.S. sentinel physicians were due to ILI. This is above the national baseline of 1.9%. On a regional level, the percentage of visits for ILI ranged from 0.6% to 4.4%.*** Due to wide variability in regional level data, it is not possible to calculate region-specific baselines and it is not appropriate to apply the national baseline to regional level data.
Influenza Activity as Assessed by State and Territorial Epidemiologists**:
Influenza activity was reported as widespread in Colorado, and regional in Alaska, Connecticut, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and New York City. Thirty-two states and Washington, DC reported sporadic activity, 2 states reported no influenza activity, and 4 states did not report.
* Reporting is incomplete for this week. Numbers may change as more reports are received.
** Influenza activity is defined as influenza-like illness and/or culture-confirmed influenza.
*** Surveillance Regions: New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island); Mid-Atlantic (New Jersey, New York City, Pennsylvania, Upstate New York); East North Central (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin); West North Central (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota); South Atlantic (Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, D.C., West Virginia); East South Central (Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee); West South Central (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas); Mountain (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming); Pacific (Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington)
Report prepared: January 10, 2002
Error processing SSI file