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CDC reports 302 cases of influenza H3N2 variant virus
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SAN FRANCISCO — The number of influenza H3N2 variant virus infections in the United States has reached 302, officials from the CDC reported at the 52nd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.
First reported to the public in early August, the last number of cases reported by Infectious Disease News was 145 on August 9. There has since been 1 death related to the virus, according to Lyn Finelli, DrPH, Lead of the Surveillance and Outbreak Response Team, Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases of the CDC.
“We’re interested in these infections because sustained and efficient transmission of these viruses represents opportunities for pandemics, just like we saw with H1N1 in 2009,” Finelli said during a press briefing.
Finelli said that 16 of the cases resulted in hospitalizations. The patient that died was an older adult with several underlying conditions. All of the cases reported contact with swine at local county fairs. There has been little report of human-to-human transmission, Finelli said. Children appear to be the most susceptible. The immunity profile shows no immunity to the virus in children and moderate immunity in young and older adults.
Physicians are advised to test patients that come in with influenza-like illness and to treat patients with either oseltamivir or zanamivir. Two vaccine candidates have been sent to drug manufacturers, in case cases start to escalate, Finelli said.
“It’s hard to predict what is going to happen, as fairs wind down and as cooler weather ensues,” Finelli said. “It’s possible that we’ll see local outbreaks, maybe in daycare centers and schools, in the susceptible population.”
Disclosure: Finelli reports no relevant financial disclosures.