Influenza

November 9, 2022Read more...

Updates for Seasonal Influenza (Flu) for 2022–2023

After a couple of Flu Seasons that were extraordinarily mild, Seasonal Flu is back with a vengeance. It’s starting early and all indications point to a very active Season.  The FirstWatch Intelligence Page (HIP) has updated Flu Resources, both in written documents, as well as links to outside resources for quick reference. Hopefully, these resources, as well as Weekly Flu Summaries of Flu Activity for the US and Canada, as well as globally, will help navigate this Flu season for your...

December 7, 2021Read more...

Intro to Seasonal Influenza (Flu) 101 for 2021-2022

This document serves as an introduction, or review, for topics related to Seasonal Flu and what can be anticipated in the 2021-22 Flu Season.  It includes a description of Flu, prevention, at risk groups, flu shots, incubation, symptoms, testing & diagnosis, and more.  It also has links to both CDC and Canada Health resources on many of the topics. View/Download Full Document

April 26, 2021Read more...

Seasonal Flu – So NOT in the News in 2020-2021

Seasonal Flu, for both the US and Canada, has pretty much been a no show for the 2020-21 Season.  Even though both countries did more surveillance and Flu tests than in other seasons, the number of Influenza-Like-Illness (ILI) health care provider visits as well as positive Flu tests was nearly flat, even compared to previous very low seasons.  Canada wrote in their last report that there isn't even enough Flu detected to declare a start to the 2020-21 Flu Season. ...

September 24, 2020Read more...

Seasonal Flu in the Midst of COVID-19

As the 2020/21 Flu Season approaches, COVID-19 is still circulating in most states throughout the U.S. with many states again on the rise.  Since the Southern Hemisphere had their Flu Season 2020, ahead and opposite that of the Northern Hemisphere, there may be some indication of what the upcoming Flu Season will be like, at least in some countries.  Read about the Flu Season that the Southern Hemisphere did not have and their mitigation techniques, and then read on to...

March 3, 2020Read more...

For Week #8 Flu & ILI Decreased for 2nd Week but Pediatric Deaths at Record Rate

Executive Summary:  Although the flu season is hopefully going to continue to decline over the next month, it is still something to watch closely.  Flu activity decreased with hospitalizations for children & young adults higher than other recent flu seasons.  Pediatric deaths total 125 for the season, with 20 of those deaths reported this week. This season is considered severe. Also, with COVID-19 now in different states and communities within the U.S., some with community spread, everyone must realize that the...

February 25, 2020Read more...

For Week #7 Flu & ILI Decreased Slightly with a Record Setting Number of Total Pediatric Deaths

Executive Summary:  Although eyes are still focused on COVID-19, Flu activity remains a far greater threat to North America at this time.  Flu activity decreased with hospitalizations for children & young adults higher than other recent flu seasons.  Pediatric deaths total 105 for the season, with 13 of those deaths reported this week. Adult deaths are below the epidemic threshold.  This season is considered a severe.   Download the Full Update

February 19, 2020Read more...

For Week #6 Flu & ILI Increased for the 4th Week with 14 Pediatric Deaths Reported

Executive Summary: Although most eyes are laser-focused on the COVID-19, Flu activity remains a far greater threat to North America and other countries outside the China region at this time.  Flu activity increased again with hospitalizations for children & young adults higher than other recent flu seasons.  Pediatric deaths total 92 for the season, with 14 of those deaths reported this week although adult deaths are below the epidemic threshold.  This season is considered a bad one as far as numbers...

February 9, 2020Read more...

For Week #4 Flu & ILI Increased for the 2nd Week with 14 Pediatric Deaths Reported

Executive Summary: Although most eyes are laser-focused on the 2019-nCoV, Flu activity remains a far greater threat to North America and other countries outside the China region at this time.  Flu activity increased again with hospitalizations for children & young adults higher than other recent flu seasons.  Pediatric deaths total 68 for the season, with 14 of those deaths reported this week.    Download the Full Update

January 29, 2020Read more...

CDC Issued Health Advisory regarding elevated flu activity Week #3 — Week Ending 1-18-20

Executive Summary: The CDC issued a health advisory, HAN 00425, on Jan 10 warning of elevated flu activity with Influenza B/Victoria and A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses dominating. Children have taken the worse hit in regards to severe disease this season with Influenza B accounting for more than half the pediatric deaths this season (37 of 54).  Although flu & ILI activity was in decline for a couple of weeks which could have signaled an early end to the flu season, that is apparently...

January 8, 2020Read more...

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week Ending 12-28-19

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week #52 -- Week Ending 12-28-19 The CDC reported that flu activity (diagnosed flu and ILI outpatient visits) is high in all regions of the US and is continuing to increase.  It has been elevated for eight (8) weeks now, longer at this time point than in most previous seasons.  It is also important to note that Flu/ILI might be underreported for this time period because of the holidays and less people going for outpatient/doctor office visits. ...

December 20, 2019Read more...

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week Ending 12-14-19

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week #50 -- Week Ending 12-14-19 The CDC reported that flu season is in full swing, with all regions of the US having elevated ILI and flu activity continuing to increase.  Most of the current flu activity is caused by Influenza B/Victoria which typically occurs in late Winter or Spring, toward the end of the flu season.  A(H1N1) is the next most common and is increasing compared to the other flu viruses, followed by A(H3N2) with an...

December 13, 2019Read more...

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week Ending 12-7-19

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week #49 -- Week Ending 12-7-19 The CDC reported that seasonal flu is in full swing, with all regions of the US having elevated ILI and flu activity continues to increase.  Most of the current flu activity is caused by Influenza B/Victoria which more typically occurs toward the end of the flu season.  A(H1N1) is the next most common and seems to be increasing compared to the other flu viruses, followed by A(H3N2) with a much smaller...

December 6, 2019Read more...

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week Ending 11-30-19

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week #48 -- Week Ending 11-30-19 The CDC reported that seasonal flu activity continued to increase over the previous week; from a national perspective, ILI has been at/above baseline for four weeks, and many areas of the country have significant levels of flu, while some areas are still seeing only low levels of flu activity.  According to the data, the 2019/20 flu season is ramping up earlier and faster when compared with other recent years (see chart...

November 29, 2019Read more...

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week Ending 11-23-19

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week #47 -- Week Ending 11-23-19 The CDC reported that seasonal flu activity continued to increase over the previous week but the level of activity and the predominant influenza virus differ according to region.  From a national perspective, ILI has been at/above baseline for three weeks.  Some areas, particularly in parts of the South and West are seeing elevated levels, while other areas still have low levels of flu activity.  According to the data, the 2019/20 flu...

November 21, 2019Read more...

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week Ending 11-9-19

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week #45  Week Ending 11-9-19 The CDC reported that seasonal flu activity increased over the previous week with more states reporting increased levels of Flu and ILI.  From a national perspective, ILI remains below baseline but some areas, particularly in the South, are seeing earlier-than-typically-expected increased levels.  Influenza-like illness (ILI) is defined as a temperature at/above100o F [37.8o C] and cough and/or sore throat without a known cause other than flu.  A Flu case, that is included in...

November 8, 2019Read more...

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week Ending 11-2-19

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week #44  Week Ending 11-2-19 The CDC reported that seasonal flu activity is low, but increased some from the previous week.  These lower levels are expected for this time of year although Louisiana and Puerto Rico reported continued high levels of ILI.  Influenza-like illness (ILI) is defined as a temperature at/above100o F [37.8o C] and cough and/or sore throat without a known cause other than flu.  A Flu case, that is included in CDC data, indicates a positive...

November 1, 2019Read more...

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week Ending 10-26-19

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week #43  Week Ending 10-26-19 The CDC reported that seasonal flu activity is low, but had increased a little from the previous week. These levels are expected for this time of year.  Influenza-like illness (ILI) is defined as a temperature of at/above100o F [37.8o C] and cough and/or sore throat without a known cause other than flu). Diagnosed Flu and ILI are expected to increase in the next few weeks and months. It is recommended by public health...

June 12, 2019Read more...

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week Ending 6-1-19

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week #22 -- Week Ending June 1, 2019  The CDC reported Flu & ILI activity remained low throughout the nation during Week #22. This year’s Flu Season has finally ended, although flu cases will likely continue to occur in small numbers, with flu-related hospitalizations, and perhaps adult & pediatric deaths due to flu, taking place occasionally. This Influenza Update will conclude FirstWatch’s reporting for the 2018-2019 Flu Season with a summary of this week’s stats, as well as...

May 31, 2019Read more...

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week Ending 5-18-19

For week #20 (ending 5-18-19) the CDC reported that Influenza (Flu) activity, which includes diagnosed flu as well as ILI (Influenza-Like-Illness), stayed low throughout the nation during Week #20, as this year’s Flu Season is finally ending after a record long number of weeks. Only one (1) state had widespread flu activity. ILI remained under the national baseline of 2.2%; all 10 Regions reported “Normal” activity with ILI. Respiratory specimens testing positive for flu decreased to 3.8% last week. The number of hospitalizations from...

May 10, 2019Read more...

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week Ending 5-4-19

For week #18 (ending 5-4-19) the CDC reported that Influenza (Flu) activity, which includes diagnosed flu as well as ILI (Influenza-Like-Illness), continued to decline during Week #18, as this year’s Flu Season repeated a decrease in almost all flu markers. Only two (2) states had widespread flu activity and ILI is again under the national baseline of 2.2%.  Nine (9) out of 10 Regions reported “Normal” activity with ILI less than each of their region-specific baselines.  The percentage of respiratory specimens...