Synopsis: During week 50 (December 13-19, 2009), influenza activity continued to decrease in the U.S.
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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – 306 (6.9%) specimens tested by U.S. World Health Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) collaborating laboratories and reported to CDC/Influenza Division were positive for influenza.
All subtyped influenza A viruses being reported to CDC were 2009 influenza A (H1N1) viruses.
The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) was below the epidemic threshold.
Nine influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported. Eight of these deaths were associated with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infection and one was associated with an influenza A virus for which the subtype was undetermined.
The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) was 2.3% which is at the national baseline of 2.3%. Seven of the 10 regions (1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10) reported ILI below region-specific baseline levels.
Seven states reported geographically widespread influenza activity, 18 states reported regional influenza activity, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 13 states reported local influenza activity, the U.S. Virgin Islands and 11 states reported sporadic influenza activity, Guam and one state reported no influenza activity.
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