Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report | Seasonal Influenza (Flu) | CDC

Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report | Seasonal Influenza (Flu) | CDC

2015-2016 Influenza Season Week 19 ending May 14, 2016

Weekly Influenza Surveillance

The most recent FluView report shows that flu activity continues to decrease in the United States. While flu activity has peaked nationally for this season, some parts of the country are still experiencing widespread flu. Ongoing activity is expected to continue for a number of weeks. Also, flu viruses circulate at low levels during the summer.

CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older. Vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors' visits, and missed work and school due to flu illness, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations.

CDC also recommends that patients suspected of having influenza who are athigh risk of flu complications or who are very sick with flu-like illness should receive prompt treatment with influenza antiviral drugs without waiting for confirmatory testing.

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Synopsis:

During week 19 (May 8-14, 2016), influenza activity decreased in the United States.

• Viral Surveillance: The most frequently identified influenza virus type reported by public health laboratories during week 19 was influenza B. The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza in clinical laboratories decreased.
• Pneumonia and Influenza Mortality: The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) was below the system-specific epidemic threshold in the NCHS Mortality Surveillance System and at the system-specific epidemic threshold in the 122 Cities Mortality Reporting System.
• Influenza-associated Pediatric Deaths: One influenza-associated pediatric death was reported.
• Influenza-associated Hospitalizations: A cumulative rate for the season of 31.3 laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalizations per 100,000 population was reported.
• Outpatient Illness Surveillance: The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) was 1.4%, which is below the national baseline of 2.1%. One of 10 regions reported ILI at or above region-specific baseline levels. Puerto Rico experienced moderate ILI activity; three states experienced low ILI activity; New York City and 46 states experienced minimal ILI activity; and the District of Columbia and one state had insufficient data.
• Geographic Spread of Influenza: The geographic spread of influenza in Puerto Rico and two states was reported as widespread; seven states reported regional activity; the District of Columbia, Guam, and 19 states reported local activity; and the U.S. Virgin Islands and 22 states reported sporadic activity.