Influenza Update – Orange County (OC): Since the last update 2/25/2011, 12 new severe cases (resulting in admission to intensive care or death) of influenza in persons <65 years of age were reported. A total of 46 severe cases, including eight deaths, have been reported this season. Twenty-one (46%) of the severe cases were children, including one of the deaths. Influenza A was detected in specimens from 36 (78%) and influenza B from 10 (22%) severe cases. Reports of influenza and influenza-like illness (ILI) have decreased over the past several weeks.
Influenza Update – US and International: Nationally the proportion of outpatient visits to sentinel providers for ILI has decreased but is still above baseline. The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza remains above the epidemic threshold for the sixth consecutive week. Approximately 99% of flu A/2009 H1N1 strains, 99% of A/H3, and 95% of B viruses tested by CDC were a good match for the 2010-11 vaccine. 100% of A/H3 and B viruses and 99.8% of A/2009 H1N1 viruses tested were susceptible to oseltamivir (Tamiflu®); 100% of all flu viruses tested were susceptible to zanamivir (Relenza®). Influenza activity is decreasing in Europe, Canada, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Other News: CDC updates “Guidance for the Prevention and Control of Influenza in the Peri- and Postpartum Settings.” Guidance
includes infection control recommendations for care of the pregnant woman with suspected or confirmed influenza pre-delivery, during delivery, and after delivery, and for care of the newborn. A toolkit on “Responding to Influenza” is also available for prenatal care providers. For guidance: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/infectioncontrol/peri-post-settings.htm. For toolkit: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/pregnant/2011_influenza_prenatal_toolkit.pdf.
Orange County Health Care Agency, Epidemiology & Assessment, 1719 W. 17th St. Santa Ana, CA 92706, (714) 834-8180