All data are preliminary and may change as more reports are received.

Synopsis: During week 42 (October 14-20, 2012), influenza activity remained low in the United States.

o Viral Surveillance: Of 2,891 specimens tested and reported by U.S. World Health Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) collaborating laboratories during week 42, 178 (6.2%) 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 1.2%, which is below the national baseline of 2.2%. All 10 regions reported ILI below region-specific baseline levels. All 50 states and New York City experienced minimal ILI activity and the District of Columbia had insufficient data.

o Geographic Spread of Influenza: The geographic spread of influenza in three states was reported as local; the District of Columbia and 34 states reported sporadic activity; Guam and 13 states reported no influenza activity, and Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands did not report.

Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library collection

United States