** CDC: Seasonal Flu Activity (week 8, February 21-27, 2016)
March 5th, 2016
During week 8 (February 21-27, 2016), influenza activity remained elevated in the United States.
- Viral Surveillance: The most frequently identified influenza virus type reported by public health laboratories during week 8 was influenza A, with influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 viruses predominating. The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza in clinical laboratories increased.
- Novel Influenza A Virus: One human infection with a novel influenza A virus was reported.
- Pneumonia and Influenza Mortality: The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) was below the system-specific epidemic threshold in the NCHS Mortality Surveillance System and above the system-specific epidemic threshold in the 122 Cities Mortality Reporting System.
- Influenza-associated Pediatric Deaths: Four influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported.
- Influenza-associated Hospitalizations: A cumulative rate for the season of 7.8 laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalizations per 100,000 population was reported.
- Outpatient Illness Surveillance: The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) was 3.2%, which is above the national baseline of 2.1%. Nine of 10 regions reported ILI at or above region-specific baseline levels. Puerto Rico and eight states experienced high ILI activity; New York City and nine states experienced moderate ILI activity; 13 states experienced low ILI activity; 20 states experienced minimal ILI activity; and the District of Columbia had insufficient data.
- Geographic Spread of Influenza: The geographic spread of influenza in Puerto Rico and 33 states was reported as widespread; Guam and 14 states reported regional activity; the District of Columbia and one state reported local activity; and the U.S. Virgin Islands and two states reported sporadic activity.
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