Flu cases increasing despite a mild flu season so far

Influenza activity is on the increase in the United States and should continue on that trend into February. According to the FluView Report the number of states reporting regional or widespread activity increased during the week ending December 18th. Although flu like cases are still low relative to last year, we need to be prepared as the peak of the flu season is not until mid January.

States reporting a high activity in Influenza like Illness (ILI) were Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi with Arizona and Nevada reporting moderate activity in ILI. Two states Louisiana and Oklahoma reported low activity and the remaining 43 states reported very low or minimal activity. Despite 43 states reported minimal activity there was still an increase in cases in these states. See Slide Show

From the CDC:

• Widespread influenza activity was reported by one state (Mississippi).
• Regional influenza activity was reported by Puerto Rico and 13 states (Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia).
• Local influenza activity was reported by seven states (Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee).
• Sporadic influenza activity was reported by the District of Columbia, Guam, and 28 states (Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming).
• No influenza activity was reported by one state (Vermont).
• The U.S. Virgin Islands did not report.

So far the 2010-2011 Flu season has been very mild in reported cases including pediatric deaths. So far this season only 2 pediatric deaths have been reported this number is thankfully much lower than 2009-10 season when we had 282 deaths and in 2008-09 when there was 133 pediatric deaths reported.

Adult statistics include lower hospitalizations 724 and lower deaths 16 from October 3r 2010 to December 18th 2010 when compared to the 2009-2010 flu season.

Another tool that is used to determine the extent of Flu season is to look at Pneumonia and Influenza (P&I) deaths.  This statistic also shows we are still in a mild flu season

During week 50, 6.7% of all deaths reported through the 122-Cities Mortality Reporting System were due to P&I. This percentage was below the epidemic threshold of 7.4% for week 50.

Even though the threat from H1N1 has decreased significantly there are still some patients who have tested positive for the 2009 H1N1 strain with 5.3% of all patients that were tested for flu were positive for the 2009 H1N1 strain.

As we move into the peak period of the 2010-11 flu season we should see a steady rise of influenza cases, however all indications are this season will continue to be a mild one. If you haven’t received your flu vaccination there is still time to do so and as always keep practicing prevention by washing hands and cover up your coughs and sneezes.

Steve's H1N1 articles

Resource Links:

CDC

Flu.gov

Seasonal Flu Facts

Vaccine Effectiveness

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