Deaths related to influenza continue in the U.S.
Kathmandu, January 9
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recorded that more than 800 people died in last week of December in 2019 by the high influenza-like illness activity as most the country experienced it.
Medscape reported that the influenza caused at least 6.4 million illnesses, 55,000 hospitalizations, and 2900 deaths so far this season; influenza activity has been elevated for 8 weeks.
As per the CDC, the percentage of outpatient healthcare provider visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) increased from 5.1% to 6.9% during the week ending December 28 (week 52). "The increase in the percentage of patient visits for ILI during week 52 compared to week 51 may be influenced in part by a reduction in routine healthcare visits surrounding the holidays occurring during week 52 as has occurred during previous seasons," the CDC reported. The national baseline is 2.4%.
In the United States, influenza B/Victoria viruses are predominant, followed by A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses. "A(H3N2) and B/Yamagata viruses are circulating at very low levels," according to the CDC.
Predominant viruses differ by region and age group, the CDC explains. Influenza B/Victoria viruses are most common among children aged 4 years and younger (48% of reported viruses) and those aged 5 to 24 years (59% of reported viruses).
Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 are the most common viruses among adults aged 25 to 64 years (42% of reported viruses) and those aged 65 years and older (43% of viruses).
Overall, the hospitalization rate was 9.2 per 100,000. "This is similar to what has been seen at this time during recent seasons," the CDC notes in its report.
The hospitalization rate was highest among older adults aged 65 years or older (19.9 per 100,000), followed by young children aged 0 to 4 years (17.8), and adults aged 50 to 64 years (10.0).
Just more than half (1374; 51.5%) of 2667 hospitalizations were linked to influenza A virus and 47.8% (1274) were associated with influenza B virus. Less than 1% were associated with influenza A virus and influenza B virus co-infection and 0.3% had no influenza virus type determination. Most (80.7%) influenza A viruses that underwent subtyping were A(H1N1)pdm09 and 19.3% were A(H3N2) viruses.
