The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported Friday that influenza activity increased again this past week.
All U.S. states but Hawaii and Oregon continue to report widespread flu activity and the number of states experiencing high influenza-like illness (ILI) activity increased from 39 states plus New York City and Puerto Rico to 42 states plus New York City and the District of Columbia.
In Los Angeles County, health officials report high levels of influenza (flu) activity continue. To date, there are 158 confirmed influenza-associated deaths in Los Angeles County. By comparison, there were a total of 80 confirmed influenza-associated deaths during the entire flu season last year. Nearly 85% of deaths have occurred in adults over 65 years old and one death occurred in a child under 18 years old.
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health expects influenza activity to remain elevated for several weeks to come. Influenza A (H3N2) viruses are the most common this season; H3N2- predominant seasons tend to be more severe.
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“It is not too late to get the influenza vaccine”, said Jeffrey Gunzenhauser, MD, MPH, Interim Health Officer for Los Angeles County. “Although the influenza vaccine can vary in how well it works, it remains the best way to prevent influenza illness and serious influenza-associated complications.”
Nationally, the overall hospitalization rate is higher than the overall hospitalization rate reported during the same week of the 2014-2015 season; the most severe season in recent years. In addition, CDC reports 53 pediatric deaths this season attributed to the flu.
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Summary Influenza activity remained high in the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere while in the temperate zone of the southern hemisphere activity was at inter-seasonal levels. Worldwide, influenza A accounted still for the majority of influenza detections but influenza B (mostly from the Yamagata lineage) increased in recent weeks. Up to now, the majority of countries which are in the influenza season, reported influenza like illness reaching moderate levels in comparison with previous years, with few reaching levels exceeding those of previous years. Some countries however have reported levels of hospitalization and ICU admissions reaching or exceeding peak levels of previous influenza seasons. WHO recommends countries with current influenza activity or entering their season to adopt necessary measures for ensuring appropriate case management, compliance with infection control measures and seasonal influenza vaccination for high risk groups(see also the fact sheet given below). In North America, overall influenza activity remained high, with detections of predominantly influenza A(H3N2) viruses. In Europe, influenza activity remained high in Northern and Southwestern Europe, and peaked in few countries but started to increase in Eastern Europe. Influenza B remained the virus most frequently detected and the subtype of the influenza A viruses detected varied depending on the country and the surveillance system. In Western Asia, increasing influenza activity was reported in some countries, with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and B viruses present in the region. In Central Asia, influenza activity increased slightly, although it remained low across the region. In East Asia, high levels of illness indicators and influenza activity were reported in most of the countries. Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and influenza B-Yamagata lineage viruses were predominantly detected. In South East Asia, low levels of influenza activity were reported. In Southern Asia, influenza activity continued to be high in Iran and Pakistan, with detection of all seasonal influenza subtypes. In Northern Africa, influenza detections remained high in Algeria, Egypt and Morocco, while decreased in Tunisia. Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus and influenza B were predominantly detected in the region. In Western Africa, little to no influenza activity was reported across the region.