[ad_1]
In concluding his assessments of the latest influenza season, the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the flu was severe, with unusually high rates of illness, hospitalizations and deaths, making the worst season since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.
In addition, the CDC said in a separate update that an annual survey suggests that influenza vaccine coverage declined last season in adults.
Meanwhile, just weeks after 2018, influenza levels are low and the three strains are circulating, according to the CDC's latest weekly FluView report, released today.
The most severe non-pandemic season
Last year, influenza activity began to increase in November and remained high for several weeks until early 2018. The H3N2 virus was the predominant strain until February. . Influenza B became more common in March, which is not unusual for the latter. part of the flu season.
According to its modeled estimates, the flu has left 48.8 million people sick, with 22.7 million visits to clinics, 959,000 hospitalizations and 79,400 deaths.
In comparison, the CDC estimates that 60 million people were sick during the H1N1 pandemic in 2009 and that the 2017-2018 period has outpaced all other recent non-pandemic flu seasons.
The CDC found high rates of hospitalization among the very young and the very old, a typical tendency of the flu. He said, however, that hospitalization rates for all age groups were the highest ever recorded since 2005, when he began including all age groups in the surveillance of the population. hospital flu.
"Our estimates of hospitalizations and mortality associated with the 2017-2018 influenza season continue to demonstrate the severity of influenza virus infection," the CDC said. Older people account for 70% of hospitalizations and 90% of deaths, highlighting how elderly people are particularly vulnerable to severe influenza.
In working-age adults, the group with the lowest influenza immunization rate, influenza caused approximately 10,300 deaths.
Last year, as the flu season came to an end, the CDC reported that reports of the number of deaths from influenza in children were the highest since the year since that the agency started following them in 2004. In addition, the agency indicated that the 183 reports received for 2017-18 were probably underestimates because all children whose deaths are related to the flu have not been tested.
Based on hospitalization rates and death-by-death causes among patients who have been hospitalized and who have not been hospitalized, the CDC estimates that there is actually more 600 deaths from influenza in children.
Decline in the uptake of influenza vaccine in adults
An ongoing telephone survey used by the CDC to assess a range of health problems and risk behaviors in adults suggests that influenza vaccine coverage in this age group was 37.1%, reflecting a down 6.2 percentage points from the previous season. the lowest level of the last seven seasons.
However, the CDC called for caution in interpreting the results, given the self-reporting of vaccination status and the fact that its first estimates from other data sources do not show a decrease in participation.
His estimate from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey suggests that, although vaccination coverage varies by age and status, levels have declined in all age groups. age groups and in most states. Coverage varied considerably between states, ranging from 29.2% in Louisiana to 46.3% in West Virginia. Levels decreased in 37 states from the previous season and remained stable in 13 states and the District of Columbia. When researchers examined the changes by ethnic group, influenza immunization coverage declined for all, with the exception of Native Americans and Alaska.
Despite the limitations of the data sources used to estimate the use of influenza vaccine in adults, the main message remains that coverage remains low in this age group, with only about 4 reporting having been vaccinated.
"As the 2018-19 season is underway, it is important for providers to prioritize influenza vaccination for their patients," said the CDC. "This includes reminders to clients when flu vaccine supplies are available, an assessment of the immunization status at each visit, the formulation of an effective recommendation for vaccination and the provision of the vaccine."
Current activity still weak
In its weekly report covering influenza activity until last week, the CDC said that the disease activity was still low at the national level, with only four states reporting local influenza activity: Massachusetts, New Hampshire, North Dakota and Oregon.
All three strains are circulating, although 2009 H1N1 is the most commonly identified virus.
Last week, the number of clinic visits for a flulike illness was 1.5%, which remained well below the national base of 2.2%. All regions of the CDC were below their specific base levels.
The percentage of deaths due to pneumonia and influenza was 5.3%, below the epidemic threshold of 5.9%. No new deaths related to influenza in children have been reported, which has made one so far.
In clinical laboratories, the percentage of respiratory specimens tested positive for influenza was 0.6%.
The CDC recommends that all children 6 months of age and older be vaccinated against the flu by the end of October.
See also:
October 25 CDC Estimate of Influenza Factor 2017-18
October 25 CDC estimates on vaccination coverage against adult influenza 2017-18
October 26, FluView CDC report
Source link
