FluView : 2014-2015 Influenza Season ; Week 45

Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library collection

Synopsis: During week 45 (November 2-8, 2014), influenza activity was low in the United States.

o Viral Surveillance: Of 9,138 specimens tested and reported by U.S. World Health Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) collaborating laboratories during week 45, 678 (7.4%) were positive for influenza.

o Pneumonia and Influenza Mortality: The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) was below the epidemic threshold.

o Influenza-associated Pediatric Deaths: No influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported.

o Outpatient Illness Surveillance: The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) was 1.6%, which is below the national baseline of 2.0%. All 10 regions reported ILI below region-specific baseline levels. Puerto Rico experienced moderate ILI activity; two states experienced low ILI activity; New York City and 48 states experienced minimal ILI activity; and the District of Columbia had insufficient data.

o Geographic Spread of Influenza: The geographic spread of influenza in Guam was reported as widespread; three states reported regional activity; Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and 13 states reported local activity; the District of Columbia and 31 states reported sporadic activity; and three states reported no influenza activity.