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According to the current influenza forecasting initiative, the 2018-2019 influenza season has "peaked nationally and for all regions of the country".
The forecast received by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from the Epidemic Forecast Initiative indicates that influenza activity will continue to decline in the country in terms of severity markers such as medical visits. for related symptoms and the number of laboratory-confirmed cases, but some markers are likely. stay above baseline levels "at least until mid-April" with reports of influenza B and influenza A circulating.
In its weekly report, the CDC said it received four reports of pediatric deaths associated with influenza during the week ending April 6.
One death was associated with an influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 virus, mainly the influenza virus this season, and occurred during the week ending March 23. One death was associated with an influenza A (H3) virus and occurred during the week ending February 2nd. 9.
Two deaths were associated with influenza A for which no subtyping was done and occurred in the weeks ending March 30 and April 6, respectively, according to the CDC.
A total of 86 influenza-associated pediatric deaths that occurred during the 2018-19 season – a season much less severe than the last – have been reported to date at the CDC.
Some 186 of these deaths have been reported so far for last season.
During the 2016-2017 season, there were 110 pediatric influenza-associated deaths and 95 such deaths during the 2015-2016 season.
According to the CDC report for week 14, four states – Louisiana, Missouri, South Carolina, and Virginia – continue to experience high influenza-like activity; eight states, moderate ILI; New York City and 21 states, low ILI; and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 17 states, ILI minimal.
Influenza remains geographically widespread in 20 states, down 13% from the previous week ending March 30th.
Influenza A (H3) viruses, some of which are often not as immunosuppressed by the annual vaccine, have been reported more frequently than influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 viruses for week 14 and in all 10 regions of the country.
In Massachusetts, where influenza remains geographically widespread but influenza activity is low, the number of laboratory tests positive for influenza reported to the state's Department of Public Health for the 14th week decreased by 21.4 percent. % compared to the previous week, according to the DPH report. .
The report notes that "for the 2018-2019 season to date, the predominant strain of influenza is A / 2009 H1N1; However, in recent weeks, influenza strain A / H3N2 has become more common than strain A / 2009 H1N1 and influenza B has also increased. "
He adds: "All influenza strains that have been characterized in Massachusetts this season to date are covered by the current flu shot."
The CDC estimates that there have been between 34.9 and 40.1 million cases of influenza; 16.1 and 18.8 million medical visits against influenza; 482,000 to 585,000 influenza-related hospitalizations and between 32,900 and 54,800 deaths from influenza up to now during the influenza season.
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