Week 12 and WV Flu Activity on the Decrease

West Virginia has reported influenza activity as “Local” for MMWR week 12 ending Saturday, March 26, 2011. 

There were 39 positive tests for influenza A and 11 positive tests for influenza B reported by hospital and referral laboratories. Only PCR, immunofluorescence and culture results are counted in these totals.

At the Office of Laboratory Services there were 20 positive tests for influenza A, 30% (6) were influenza A 2009 (H1N1) and 70% (14) were positive for influenza A, H3.  There were two positive tests for influenza B.

There were two outbreaks with influenza-like or confirmed influenza activity in nursing homes and elementary school settings.

CDC Synopsis:

During week 12 (March 20-26, 2011), influenza activity in the United States decreased.

• The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) has been at or above the epidemic threshold for the ninth consecutive week.
• Twelve influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported, bringing the season total to 89. Four of these deaths were associated with influenza B viruses; four were associated with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) viruses; one was associated with influenza A (H3N2) virus, and three were associated with an influenza A virus for which the subtype was not determined.
• The geographic spread of influenza in 10 states was reported as widespread; 21 states reported regional influenza activity; the District of Columbia and 12 states reported local influenza activity, and Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and six states reported sporadic influenza activity.

No. of specimens tested	5,319
No. of positive specimens (%)	737 (13.9%)
Positive specimens by type/subtype
Influenza A	525 (71.2%)
A (2009 H1N1)	114 (21.7%)
A (subtyping not performed)	224 (42.7%)
A (H3)	187 (35.6%)
Influenza B	212 (28.8%)