CDC H1N1 Flu Website Situation Update, January 31, 2010

by Mary Helen Surovik (maryhelen) on 01-31-2010 11:03 PM

> Doctor visits for influenza-like illness nationally are low.

> Overall cumulative hospitalization rates for the 2009-2010 flu season have leveled off in all age groups and very low H1N1-lab confirmed hospitalizations were reported by states during the week ending 1/23/10.

> The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza increased over the previous week and is higher than expected for this time of year. This increase is thought to result from an increase in reports of pneumonia-associated deaths in older people, but not necessarily related to flu-illness. In addition, there were 5 flu-related pediatric deaths reported - four of these were associated with lab confirmed 2009 H1N1 and 1 was related to an influenza A virus with undetermined subtype.

> No states reported widespread influenza activity. Five reported regional influenza activity: Alabama, Georgia, New Jersey, South Carolina, and Virginia.

> Almost all of the influenza viruses identified so far continue to be 2009 H1N1 influenza A viruses and are similar to the virus chosen for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine; susceptibility remains to the antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir with rare exception.