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

Synopsis: During week 3 (January 15-21, 2012), influenza activity in the United States remained relatively low.

• U.S. Virologic Surveillance: Of the 3,572 specimens tested by U.S. World Health Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) collaborating laboratories and reported to CDC/Influenza Division, 175 (4.9%) were positive for influenza.

• Pneumonia and Influenza (P&I) Mortality Surveillance: The proportion of deaths attributed to P&I was slightly above the epidemic threshold.

• Influenza-associated Pediatric Mortality: One influenza-associated pediatric death was reported and was associated with an influenza B virus infection.

• Outpatient Illness Surveillance: The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) was 1.4%, which is below the national baseline of 2.4%. All 10 regions reported ILI below region-specific baseline levels. New York City and all 50 states experienced minimal ILI activity and the District of Columbia had insufficient data.

• Geographic Spread of Influenza: The geographic spread of influenza in four states was reported as regional; eight states reported local activity; Guam and 35 states reported sporadic activity; the U.S. Virgin Islands and three states reported no influenza activity, and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico did not report.

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