CDC Releases FluView Data for Week 30

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an update on influenza cases for week 30 ending July 28, 2012 in the 2011-2012 influenza season.

U.S. Virologic Surveillance: WHO and NREVSS collaborating laboratories located in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. report to CDC the number of respiratory specimens tested for influenza and the number positive by influenza type and subtype. Region specific data can be found at http://gis.cdc.gov/grasp/fluview/fluportaldashboard.html.

Novel Influenza A Virus: Twelve human infections with novel influenza A viruses were detected in three states (Hawaii [1], Indiana [1], and Ohio [10]). The 12 persons were infected withinfluenza A (H3N2) variant viruses similar to those identified in cases that occurred previously in 2011 and 2012. At this time no ongoing human-to-human transmission has been identified and all 12 cases have reported close contact with swine prior to illness onset. While the viruses identified in these cases are genetically related, separate swine exposure events in each state are associated with infection and there is no indication that the cases in different states are related. Public health and agriculture officials are investigating the extent of disease among humans and swine, and additional
cases are likely to be identified as the investigation continues.

The CDC is required to report all cases of human infection with novel (non-human) influenza viruses including influenza viruses of swine origin to the World Health Organization (WHO) as part of the International Health Regulations (IHR). Domestically, CDC reports these cases in this report and on its website. Early identification and investigation of human infections with novel influenza A viruses is critical in order to evaluate the extent of the outbreak and possible human-to-human transmission. Additional information on influenza in swine, variant influenza infection in humans, and strategies to interact safely with livestock can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swineflu/influenza-variant-viruses-h3n2v.htm.

Pneumonia and Influenza (P&I) Mortality Surveillance: During week 30, 5.6 percent of all deaths reported through the 122-Cities Mortality Reporting System were due to P&I. This percentage was below the epidemic threshold of 6.6 percent for week 30.

Influenza-Associated Pediatric Mortality: No influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported to the CDC during week 30. A total of 34 influenza-associated pediatric deaths have been reported during the 2011-2012 season. Additional data can be found at: http://gis.cdc.gov/GRASP/Fluview/PedFluDeath.html.

Influenza-Associated Hospitalizations: The Influenza Surveillance Network (FluSurv-NET) conducts all age population-based surveillance for laboratory-confirmed influenza-related hospitalizations in select counties in the Emerging Infections Program (EIP) states and Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Project (IHSP) states. Additional FluSurv-NET data can be found at: http://gis.cdc.gov/GRASP/Fluview/FluHospRates.html

Outpatient Illness Surveillance: Nationwide during week 30, 0.8 percent of patient visits reported through the U.S. Outpatient Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Network (ILINet) were due to influenza-like illness (ILI). This percentage is below the national baseline of 2.4 percent. (ILI is defined as fever (temperature of 100°F [37.8°C] or greater) and cough and/or sore throat.) Region specific data can be found at http://gis.cdc.gov/grasp/fluview/fluportaldashboard.html.