Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2020/02/flu-scan-feb-07-2020
Flu Scan for Feb 07, 2020
US flu rise continues; Human H9 flu infection
Filed Under:
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu); Influenza, General; H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza
[h=3]Flu continues to rise; CDC reports 10 more child flu deaths[/h] After a 2-week dip at the end of 2019, US flu activity last week rose again for the third week in a row in a season that has been tough on children and young adults, with 10 more pediatric flu deaths reported, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said today in its latest FluView update.
The percentage of clinic visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) rose from 6% to 6.7% last week, and the percentage of respiratory samples that tested positive for flu rose from 28.4% to 29.8%.
The number of areas reporting high ILI activity—another clinic visit marker—increased from 44 to 47. The number of jurisdictions reporting regional or widespread flu remained at 51.
At public health labs, the proportion of 2009 H1N1 viruses continue to increase and are now equal with influenza B detections.
The hospitalization rate rose to 35.5 per 100,000 patient population, which the CDC says is similar to levels seen at this time of the year, though rates in children and young adults are higher than in recent seasons.
Overall deaths from pneumonia and flu declined slightly to 7.1%, putting it just below the epidemic threshold.
Of the 10 pediatric flu deaths reported by the CDC, 7 were from influenza B and 3 from influenza A. Of the three influenza A deaths, one virus was subtyped, which was found to be 2009 H1N1. So far 78 pediatric flu deaths have been reported this season, 52 of them from influenza B, of which 9 had a lineage determined—all were Victoria. Of the 26 deaths from influenza A, 16 were subtyped, and all were 2009 H1N1 viruses.
In its latest estimates, the CDC said flu has sickened about 22 million people this season and led to 210,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 deaths.
Feb 7 CDC FluView report
[h=3]Hong Kong reports imported H9 avian flu in a child[/h] Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection (CHP) today announced an imported H9 avian influenza infection in a child who had visited his grandparents' home in mainland China where backyard poultry were kept.
The 7-year-old boy's symptoms began on Feb 4, and he received medical care the next day and is currently in isolation in the hospital, where he is listed in stable condition. Tests revealed H9 influenza, and subtyping is pending. The boy had underlying illnesses.
Investigators found that the boy had visited Shenzhen during his incubation period, but didn't have direct contact with the backyard poultry. So far, no symptoms have been found in his contacts.
Hong Kong has reported eight human H9N2 infections in the past, the last one—also an imported case—in 2013. Illnesses involving the strain are typically mild, and no deaths have been reported.
Feb 7 Hong Kong CHP statement
Flu Scan for Feb 07, 2020
US flu rise continues; Human H9 flu infection
Filed Under:
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu); Influenza, General; H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza
[h=3]Flu continues to rise; CDC reports 10 more child flu deaths[/h] After a 2-week dip at the end of 2019, US flu activity last week rose again for the third week in a row in a season that has been tough on children and young adults, with 10 more pediatric flu deaths reported, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said today in its latest FluView update.
The percentage of clinic visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) rose from 6% to 6.7% last week, and the percentage of respiratory samples that tested positive for flu rose from 28.4% to 29.8%.
The number of areas reporting high ILI activity—another clinic visit marker—increased from 44 to 47. The number of jurisdictions reporting regional or widespread flu remained at 51.
At public health labs, the proportion of 2009 H1N1 viruses continue to increase and are now equal with influenza B detections.
The hospitalization rate rose to 35.5 per 100,000 patient population, which the CDC says is similar to levels seen at this time of the year, though rates in children and young adults are higher than in recent seasons.
Overall deaths from pneumonia and flu declined slightly to 7.1%, putting it just below the epidemic threshold.
Of the 10 pediatric flu deaths reported by the CDC, 7 were from influenza B and 3 from influenza A. Of the three influenza A deaths, one virus was subtyped, which was found to be 2009 H1N1. So far 78 pediatric flu deaths have been reported this season, 52 of them from influenza B, of which 9 had a lineage determined—all were Victoria. Of the 26 deaths from influenza A, 16 were subtyped, and all were 2009 H1N1 viruses.
In its latest estimates, the CDC said flu has sickened about 22 million people this season and led to 210,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 deaths.
Feb 7 CDC FluView report
[h=3]Hong Kong reports imported H9 avian flu in a child[/h] Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection (CHP) today announced an imported H9 avian influenza infection in a child who had visited his grandparents' home in mainland China where backyard poultry were kept.
The 7-year-old boy's symptoms began on Feb 4, and he received medical care the next day and is currently in isolation in the hospital, where he is listed in stable condition. Tests revealed H9 influenza, and subtyping is pending. The boy had underlying illnesses.
Investigators found that the boy had visited Shenzhen during his incubation period, but didn't have direct contact with the backyard poultry. So far, no symptoms have been found in his contacts.
Hong Kong has reported eight human H9N2 infections in the past, the last one—also an imported case—in 2013. Illnesses involving the strain are typically mild, and no deaths have been reported.
Feb 7 Hong Kong CHP statement