Flu activity increasing around the country | Flu.gov

Flu activity increasing around the country

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu activity is increasing in the United States. For the week ending December 25, 2010, five states (Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, New York and Virginia) reported widespread geographic influenza activity and 13 states (Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas) reported regional geographic influenza activity.

There are simple steps you can take to prevent the spread of flu:

* Get Vaccinated – CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get vaccinated against the flu each year. The flu vaccine is safe, and is the best protection against flu viruses. Find out where to get the vaccine in your neighborhood.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water.
* Sneeze into the bend of your arm or a tissue, not into your hands.
* If you’re sick, stay home as much as possible except to get medical care.
* Take antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them.

Flu activity increasing around the country | Flu.gov


Situation Update: Summary of Weekly FluView
Key Flu Indicators

According to the FluView report for the week ending December 25, influenza activity is increasing in the United States. Influenza-like-illness (ILI) increased nationally and now is higher than expected for this time of year. Also, the percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza continues to increase, along with the number of states reporting regional or widespread influenza activity. Although influenza activity can rise and fall during an influenza season, activity in the United States generally peaks in January or later.

Below is a summary of the most recent key indicators:

* Visits to doctors for influenza-like illness (ILI) increased again over the previous week's report. Of 10 U.S. regions, two regions – Regions 2 and 4 (the Southeast) – reported ILI activity above baseline levels. New York City and states of Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi had high ILI activity.
* The number of states reporting an increase in the geographic spread of influenza is increasing. Five states (Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, New York and Virginia) reported widespread geographic influenza activity and 13 states (Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas) reported regional geographic influenza activity. Nine states reported local influenza activity and sporadic influenza activity was reported by the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and 28 states. Puerto Rico and Guam did not report.
* The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) based on the 122 Cities Mortality Reporting System is at a level expected for this time of year.
* One pediatric death was reported and was associated with influenza A (H3) virus infection.
* The percentage of specimens testing positive for influenza in the United States increased again for this week's report, reaching 21 percent nationally. Region 4 (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC and TN) had the highest percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza.
* Influenza viruses identified so far include 2009 H1N1 viruses, influenza A (H3N2) viruses and influenza B viruses. Approximately 69.5% of reported viruses were influenza A and 30.5% were influenza B. Among the 479 influenza A viruses that were subtyped, 39% were influenza A (H3N2) viruses. These viruses remain similar to the viruses chosen for the 2010-2011 flu vaccine, and remain susceptible to the antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir.

FluView is available – and past issues are archived – on the CDC website at
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluactivitysurv.htm.

full-text and figures:
CDC - Seasonal Influenza (Flu) - Situation Update: Summary of Weekly FluView