Key Flu Indicators
Each week CDC analyzes information about influenza disease activity in the United States and publishes findings of key flu indicators in a report called FluView. During the week of January 31 – February 6, 2010, most key flu indicators remained about the same as during the previous week. Below is a summary of the most recent key indicators:
- Visits to doctors for influenza-like illness (ILI) nationally increased slightly over last week but remain low overall. The national increase in ILI was driven by elevated ILI in 3 of 10 U.S. regions. Regions 4, 7, and 9 reported ILI slightly higher than average for the United States. Region 4 is comprised of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Region 7 is comprised of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska, and region 9 is comprised of Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada.
- Very few 2009 H1N1 laboratory-confirmed hospitalizations were reported by states during the week ending February 6 for most age groups.
- The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) based on the 122 Cities Report decreased over the previous week and is now lower than expected for this time of year. In addition, another three flu-related pediatric deaths were reported this week: two of these deaths were associated with laboratory confirmed 2009 H1N1, and one death was associated with an influenza A virus for which the subtype was undetermined. Since April 2009, CDC has received reports of 324 laboratory-confirmed pediatric deaths: 274 due to 2009 H1N1, 48 pediatric deaths that were laboratory confirmed as influenza, but the flu virus subtype was not determined, and two pediatric deaths that were associated with seasonal influenza viruses. (Laboratory-confirmed deaths are thought to represent an undercount of the actual number. CDC has providedestimates about the number of 2009 H1N1 cases and related hospitalizations and deaths.)
- No states reported widespread influenza activity. Six states reported regional influenza activity. They are: Alabama, Georgia, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, and South Carolina.
Almost all of the influenza viruses identified so far continue to be 2009 H1N1 influenza A viruses. These viruses remain similar to the virus chosen for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine, and remain susceptible to the antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir with rare exception.
del.icio.us |
Digg
Email to a friend
Print version
Plain text
Home
Set as homepage
Add to favorites
Mobile site
Rss
Plain text
Archive
As there is zero evidence for the efficacy of H1N1 vaccine what is the scientific basis for now claiming two shots are necessary. Vaccinations are not without health risks. These risks are often downplayed or rationalized away in the supposed interests of public health. The issue of long term side effects have also not been adequately investigated, especially in regard to repeated exposure to mercury based preservatives. Certainly much of the world has already banned thimerosal because of documented toxicity.
Meanwhile there are prospective studies in the literature documenting the protective effect of normalizing vitamin D levels on influenza infection. This safer, cheaper and better supported therapy is ignored by most physicians.
One last question, as the clinical picture of H1N1 infection can not be reliably distinguished from endemic seasonal flu, is there an FDA approved diagnostic test for H1N1 flu?
http://healthjournalclub.blogspot.com/
Post your comment