News from the FDA/CDC

U.S. influenza activity widespread to start 2018


 

As far as the influenza virus is concerned, the new year started in the same way as the old one ended: with almost half of the states at the highest level of flu activity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For the week ending Jan. 6, 2018, there were 23 states – including California, Illinois, and Texas – at level 10 on the CDC’s 1-10 scale for influenza-like illness (ILI) activity, which was up from 22 for the last full week of 2017. Joining the 23 states in the “high” range were New Jersey and Ohio at level 9 and Colorado at level 8, the CDC’s influenza division reported Jan. 12.

Influenza-like illness activity level, week ending Jan. 6, 2018
Nationwide, the proportion of outpatient visits for ILI was 5.8% for the week ending Jan. 6, which is up 166% from just 5 weeks ago, when it was at the national baseline of 2.2% for the week ending Dec. 2, and is higher than at any time during the 2016-2017 flu season, the CDC data show.

Seven flu-related pediatric deaths were reported during the week ending Jan. 6, although one occurred during the week ending Dec. 16 and two were during the week ending Dec. 23. There have been a total of 20 pediatric deaths related to influenza so far for the 2017-2018 season, the CDC said. In 2016-2017, there were 110 pediatric deaths from the flu.

Recommended Reading

Just over half of pregnant women got flu vaccine in 2016-2017
MDedge Infectious Disease
Not recommending LAIV didn’t reduce flu vaccination in Oregon children
MDedge Infectious Disease
Nearly 80% of health care personnel stepped up for flu shots
MDedge Infectious Disease
In-hospital outcomes are better for vaccinated H1N1 patients
MDedge Infectious Disease
Public health hazard: Bring your flu to work day
MDedge Infectious Disease
Chinese school-based flu vaccination program reduced outbreaks
MDedge Infectious Disease
Expanded hospital testing improves respiratory pathogen detection
MDedge Infectious Disease
Inpatient antiviral treatment reduces ICU admissions among influenza patients
MDedge Infectious Disease
Majority of influenza-related deaths among hospitalized patients occur after discharge
MDedge Infectious Disease
Don’t give up on influenza vaccine
MDedge Infectious Disease

Related Articles