Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Influenza Summary Update
(Week ending November 18, 2000-Week 46)
The following information may be quoted:
Synopsis: During week 46 (November 12-18, 2000), 17 of the specimens tested by WHO and NREVSS laboratories were positive for influenza type A virus and 1 was positive for influenza type B virus. The proportion of patient visits to sentinel physicians for influenza-like illness was within baseline levels of 0% to 3% in the United States overall and in all 9 surveillance regions. The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza was 6.6%. This percentage is below the epidemic threshold for this time of year. Two state and territorial health departments reported regional influenza activity, 16 reported sporadic activity, and 24 reported no influenza activity.
U.S. World Health Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) Collaborating Laboratory Reports * : During week 46, WHO and NREVSS laboratories reported 583 specimens tested for influenza viruses, of which 18 (3%) were positive. Sixteen were influenza A(H1N1) viruses, 1 was an influenza A(H3N2) virus, and 1 was an influenza B virus.
Since October 1, WHO and NREVSS laboratories have tested a total of 6,763 specimens for influenza viruses, and 77 (1%) have yielded influenza virus isolates. Of the 77 isolates identified, 69 (90%) were influenza type A and 8 (10%) were influenza type B. Of the 69 influenza A viruses, 62 (90%) have been subtyped; 57 (92%) were A(H1N1) and 5 (8%) were A(H3N2). Influenza A(H1N1) isolates have been identified in California, Colorado, Florida, and Texas; influenza A(H3N2) isolates have been identified in Florida, Hawaii and Kentucky; and unsubtyped influenza A isolates have been identified in Florida, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. Influenza B isolates have been identified in Alaska, California, Florida, and Oklahoma.
Pneumonia and Influenza (P&I) Mortality: During week 46, the percentage of all deaths due to P&I as reported by the vital statistics offices of 122 U.S. cities was 6.6%. This percentage is below the epidemic threshold of 7.8% for week 46.
 |
Influenza Morbidity Reports from U.S. Sentinel Physicians*: During week 46, 1% of patient visits to U.S. sentinel physicians were due to influenza-like illness (ILI). The percentage of ILI was within baseline levels of 0% to 3% in all 9 surveillance regions.
Influenza Activity as Assessed by State and Territorial Epidemiologists**: Influenza activity was reported as regional in 2 states (Kentucky and Texas) and sporadic in 16 states (Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee). Twenty-four states reported no influenza activity and 8 states did not report.
* Reporting is
incomplete for this week. Numbers may change as more reports are received.
** Influenza
activity is defined as influenza-like illness and/or culture-confirmed influenza.
Report prepared: November 22, 2000
Appendix I: Regions
New
England: Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island
Mid-Atlantic:
New Jersey, New York City, Pennsylvania, Upstate New York
East North Central: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin
West North Central: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South
Dakota
South Atlantic: Delaware,
Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Virginia, Washington, D.C., West Virginia
East South Central: Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee
West South Central: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas
Mountain:
Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming
Pacific:
Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington
National Center for Infectious Diseases
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Atlanta, GA