CDC: 689 new cases, one pediatric death confirmed during influenza season week 51

CDC. FluView Report. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/. Accessed Jan. 5, 2011.

During influenza season week 51 — Dec. 19 to Dec. 25 — 689 of 3,284 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 4,864 since Oct. 3, according to the CDC’s weekly FluView report.

Three influenza-associated deaths among children have been reported during the 2010-2011 season; two deaths were associated with influenza A (H3) virus infection and one was associated with influenza A virus for which the subtype is unavailable. In week 51, the proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza was at the epidemic threshold.

The District of Columbia and 48 states from all 10 surveillance regions have reported laboratory-confirmed influenza this season. Activity in other areas of the country is increasing, according to the CDC. Areas in the southeastern United States have accounted for 2,664 (54.8%) of 4,864 reported influenza viruses this season, including 1,547 (78.9%) of the 1,961 influenza B viruses.

Thirty-five states experienced minimal influenza-like illness (ILI) activity, but two of the 10 CDC regions (regions 2 and 4) reported ILI above region-specific baseline levels. Three states and New York City experienced high ILI activity, and six states experienced moderate ILI activity; five states experienced low ILI activity,

The proportion of outpatient visits for ILI was 2.7%, which is more than the national baseline of 2.5%. The increase in the percentage of patient visits for ILI may be influenced in part by a reduction in routine health care visits during the holiday season, as has occurred in previous seasons, according to the CDC.

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