Influenza

May 3, 2019Read more...

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week Ending 4-27-19

For week #16 & 17 (ending 4-20 & 4-27-19) the CDC reported that Influenza (Flu) activity, which includes diagnosed flu as well as ILI (Influenza-Like-Illness), continued to decline during Weeks #16 and 17, as this year’s Flu Season finally showed a decrease in almost all the flu markers. Only a few states (3) had widespread flu activity and ILI is now under the national baseline of 2.2% for the second week in a row.  All Regions reported “Normal” activity with ILI...

April 28, 2019Read more...

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week Ending 4-13-19

For week #15 (ending 4-13-19) the CDC reported that Influenza (Flu) activity, which includes diagnosed flu as well as ILI (Influenza-Like-Illness), decreased again but was still elevated during Week #15, particularly for so late in the season. This Flu Season has been elevated for 21 weeks, a new record (it was 20 weeks in 2014/15). The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for flu decreased to 11.8% from 15.1% last week.  Also, the number of hospitalizations from flu continued to increase. ...

April 25, 2019Read more...

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week Ending 4-6-19

For week #14 (ending 4-6-19) the CDC reported that Influenza (Flu) activity, which includes diagnosed flu as well as ILI (Influenza-Like-Illness), decreased again but was still elevated during Week #14, particularly for so late in the season. This Flu Season has been elevated for 20 weeks; the last time the season was so lengthy was in 2014/15.  The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for flu decreased to 15.1% from 18.1% last week.  Also, the number of hospitalizations from flu continued...

April 10, 2019Read more...

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week Ending 3-30-19

For week #13 (ending 3-30-19) the CDC reported that Influenza (Flu) activity, which includes diagnosed flu as well as ILI (Influenza-Like-Illness), decreased but was still elevated during Week #13.  The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for flu decreased to 18.1% from 22.1% last week, while all 10 Regions reported flu levels above their baseline. Also, the number of hospitalizations from flu continued to increase.  The CDC expects flu and ILI activity to stay at elevated levels at least through mid-April,...

April 5, 2019Read more...

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week Ending 3-23-19

For week #12 (ending 3-23-19) the CDC reported that Influenza (Flu) activity, which includes diagnosed flu as well as ILI (Influenza-Like-Illness), decreased but was still elevated during Week #12.  The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for flu decreased to 22.1% from 26% last week with all 10 Regions reported flu levels above their baseline. Also, the number of hospitalizations from flu continued to increase.  The CDC expects flu and ILI activity to stay at elevated levels into mid-April, however none...

March 25, 2019Read more...

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week Ending 3-16-19

For week #11 (ending 3-16-19) the CDC reported that Influenza (Flu) activity, which includes diagnosed flu as well as ILI (Influenza-Like-Illness), was elevated during Week #11.  The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for flu increased slightly to 26% from 25.8% last week, all 10 Regions reported flu levels above their baselines, and the number of hospitalizations from flu continued to increase.  The CDC expects flu and ILI activity to stay at elevated levels into April, however none of the numbers...

March 21, 2019Read more...

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week Ending 3-9-19

For week #10 (ending 3-9-19) the CDC reported that Influenza (Flu) activity, which includes diagnosed flu as well as ILI (Influenza-Like-Illness), remained widespread during Week #10.  The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for flu decreased slightly again to 25.8% from 26.1% last week, all 10 Regions reported flu levels above their baselines, and the number of hospitalizations from flu continued to increase.  The CDC expects flu and ILI activity to stay at elevated levels for the rest of March, however...

March 16, 2019Read more...

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week Ending 3-2-19

For week #09 (ending 3-2-19) the CDC reported that Influenza (Flu) activity, which includes diagnosed flu as well as ILI (Influenza-Like-Illness), remained widespread during Week #9.  The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for flu decreased slightly to 26.1% from 26.4% last week, all 10 Regions reported flu levels above baseline, and the number of hospitalizations from flu continued to increase.  The CDC expects flu and ILI activity to stay at elevated levels for at least a few more weeks, however...

March 5, 2019Read more...

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week Ending 2-23-19

For week #08 (ending 2-23-19) the CDC reported that Influenza (Flu) activity, which includes diagnosed flu as well as ILI (Influenza-Like-Illness), remained widespread during Week #8.  The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for flu decreased slightly to 26.4% from 26.7% last week, all 10 Regions reported flu levels above baseline, and the number of hospitalizations from flu continued to increase, setting a new high for this flu season.  The CDC expects flu and ILI activity to stay at elevated levels...

March 1, 2019Read more...

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week Ending 2-16-19

For week #07 (ending 2-16-19) the CDC reported that Influenza (Flu) activity, which includes diagnosed flu as well as ILI (Influenza-Like-Illness), continued to increase during week #7.  The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for flu increased to 26.7% from 24.6% last week, all 10 Regions reported flu levels above baseline, and the number of hospitalizations from flu continued to increase, setting a new high for this flu season.  The CDC expects flu and ILI activity to stay at elevated levels...

February 20, 2019Read more...

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week Ending 2-9-19

For week #06 (ending 2-9-19) the CDC reported that Influenza (Flu) activity, which includes diagnosed flu as well as ILI (Influenza-Like-Illness), continued to increase with all of the markers increased during week #6.  The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for flu increased to 24.6% from 21.6% last week; all 10 Regions reported flu levels above baseline, and the number of hospitalizations from flu continued to increase.  This indicates that this Flu Season still seems to be worsening.  The CDC expects...

February 11, 2019Read more...

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

For week #05 (ending 2-2-19) the CDC reported that Influenza (Flu) activity, which includes diagnosed flu as well as ILI (Influenza-Like-Illness), continued to increase with almost all of the severity markers increased during week #5.  The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for flu increased to 21.6% from 19.2% last week; all 10 Regions reported flu levels above baseline, and the number of hospitalizations from flu continued to increase.  This indicates that this Flu Season will have a second peak in...

February 6, 2019Read more...

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week Ending 1-26-19

For week #04 (ending 1-26-19) the CDC reported that Influenza (Flu) activity, which includes diagnosed flu as well as ILI (Influenza-Like-Illness), increased again.  The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for flu increased to 19.2% from 16.1% last week, all 10 Regions reported flu levels above baseline, and the number of hospitalizations from flu continued to increase.  This may indicate that this Flu Season will have a second peak in cases. Influenza A viruses were the most common found in the samples...

January 30, 2019Read more...

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

For week #03 (ending 1-19-19) the CDC reported that Influenza (Flu) activity, which includes diagnosed flu as well as ILI (Influenza-Like-Illness), increased.  The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for flu increased to 16.1% from 12.4% last week, all 10 Regions reported flu levels above baseline, and the number of hospitalizations from flu continued to increase. Influenza A viruses were the most common found in the samples tested, with Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 the most dominant, except in Region 4 (the Southeast), which again...

January 23, 2019Read more...

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week Ending 1-12-19

For week #02 (ending 1-12-19) the CDC reported that Influenza (Flu) activity, which includes diagnosed flu as well as ILI (Influenza-Like-Illness), remained elevated.  The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for flu decreased slightly to 12.4% from 12.7% last week, but all 10 Regions were still reporting flu levels above baseline, and the number of hospitalizations from flu continued to increase. Influenza A viruses were the most common found in the samples tested, with Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 the most dominant, except in Region...

January 14, 2019Read more...

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week Ending 1-5-19

For week #01 (ending 1-5-19) the CDC reported that Influenza (Flu) activity, which includes diagnosed flu as well as ILI (Influenza-Like-Illness), remained elevated.  The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for flu decreased to 12.7% from 13.7% last week, but all 10 Regions were reporting flu levels above baseline and the number of cases of ILI and Flu continued to increase, as did hospitalizations. Influenza A viruses were the most common found in the samples tested, with Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 the most dominant,...

January 8, 2019Read more...

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week Ending 12-29-18

For week #52 (ending 12-29-18) the CDC reported that influenza (Flu) activity, which includes diagnosed flu as well as ILI (Influenza-Like-Illness), continued to increase.  The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for flu decreased to 13.7% from 15.6% last week, but all Regions were reporting flu levels above baseline and the number of cases of ILI and Flu continued to increase, as did hospitalizations. Influenza A viruses are the most common found in sample testing, with Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 the most dominant,...

January 7, 2019Read more...

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week Ending 12-22-18

For week #51 (ending 12-22-18) the CDC reported that influenza (Flu) activity, which includes diagnosed flu as well as ILI (Influenza-Like-Illness) continued to increase.  The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for flu increased to 15.6% from 11.0% last week. Influenza A viruses are the most common found in sample testing, with Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 the most dominant, except for Region 4 (the Southeast), which again had A(H3N2) dominate.  Influenzas A (H1N1), A (H2N2) and Influenza B viruses tested were considered to...

December 29, 2018Read more...

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week Ending 12-15-18

For week #50 (ending 12-15-18) the CDC reported that influenza (Flu) activity, which includes diagnosed flu as well as ILI (Influenza-Like-Illness) increased and the threshold has been reached met to indicate that the 2018-19 Seasonal Flu season has begun.  The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for flu more than quadrupled from last week to 11.0%. Influenza A viruses are the most common virus found in sample testing, with Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 the most common, except for Region 4 (the Southeast), which...

December 17, 2018Read more...

Influenza (FLU) Update for Week Ending 12-8-18

For week #49 (ending 12-8-18) the CDC reported that influenza (Flu) activity, which includes diagnosed flu as well as ILI (Influenza-Like-Illness) was still slightly elevated. The percentage of respiratory specimens being tested still remains low. Influenza A viruses are the most common virus found in sample testing, with Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 the most common of those.  Influenza A (H2N2) and Influenza B viruses have also been found and are considered to be co-circulating.  Also, the majority of the flu viruses are matching...