CDC: 363 new cases of influenza confirmed during influenza season week 49

During influenza season week 49 (Dec. 5-11), 363 of 3,295 specimens tested by WHO and the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System were positive for influenza, bringing the total number of influenza cases to 2,807 since Oct. 3, according to the CDC’s weekly FluView report.

In week 49, influenza A accounted for 53.4% of the influenza cases, and influenza B accounted for 46.4%. Among the influenza A cases, 45.4% of these were subtyped as influenza A (H3) and 5.7% were subtyped as influenza A (2009 H1N1). The remaining cases were not subtyped. The Minnesota Department of Health reported one human infection with a novel influenza A virus.

One influenza-associated pediatric death was reported during week 49. The death was associated with influenza A (H3) and occurred in New York. Two total pediatric deaths have been reported during the 2010-2011 season; the second death was associated with a non-subtyped influenza A virus. The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza overall during week 49 was 6.9% and was below the epidemic threshold.

The proportion of visits for influenza-like illness during week 49 was 1.8%, which is below the national baseline. All of the 10 regions reported influenza-like illnesses below the region-specific baseline levels. Forty-five states reported minimal influenza-like illness activity. Alabama and Georgia experienced high influenza-like illness.

CDC’s weekly FluView report is available here.

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