Rhiza Labs FluTracker Forum

By KEITH PHUCAS
Times Herald Staff

COURTHOUSE — Three people have died of influenza infections in Montgomery County this flu season, according to the county Health Department.

The victims include a 2-year-old Lower Merion boy, a 32-year-old Upper Merion woman and a 24-

year-old Norristown man. County Medical Director Dr. Joseph DiMino is urging anyone who has not yet received a flu shot to get one.

For more information on the flu, visit the Health Department website at www.health.montcopa.org

http://www.timesherald.com/articles/201 ... 224264.txt

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January 4, 2011 (Norristown, PA) The Montgomery County Health
Department is advising the public of the dangers of influenza, which has
already claimed the life of a child and two adults in the County for the
2010/2011 flu season.
A two-year-old Lower Merion boy, 32-year-old Upper Merion woman and a 24-
year-old Norristown man are the first three people in Montgomery County to
succumb to influenza this season.
“The flu season can continue until May”, said Dr. Joseph DiMino, Director of
Health. “It’s important if you haven’t gotten a flu shot that you make
arrangements to get one. It’s not too late to get the flu shot.”
The influenza vaccine remains the most important way to prevent infection.
Individuals with underlying, chronic health conditions are at an increased risk
for complications from influenza, and vaccination is especially important. The
influenza vaccine is free to county residents and is available at the health
department clinics.
Symptoms of flu include fever, cough, and often, extreme fatigue. Sore throat,
headache, muscle aches, and a runny or stuffy nose are also often present.
While shots are the best protection, basic infection control measures can also
reduce the spread of flu. These measures include covering your mouth when
coughing and sneezing, staying at home when you or your children are sick
and washing your hands frequently.
The Health Department is currently offering flu shots on a walk in basis. To
locate a health department clinic in your area and the walk-in schedule, or for
more information on influenza, visit the MCHD website at
www.health.montcopa.org

http://www.health.montcopa.org/health/c ... 0cfa53.pdf

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Praemonitus, Praemunitus..Forewarned is Forearmed.

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Praemonitus, Praemunitus..Forewarned is Forearmed.

PA week 2 report appears to be delayed.

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Week 2 Pennsylvania data has not been released

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/se ... 490&mode=2

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PA usually has its weekly report up on Tuesday or Wednesday. The delay in the week 2 report raises concerns that the number of deaths has increased. At week 1 PA was leading the nation in flu deaths (at 11) and the number of hospitalized cases had jumped to 70, compared to 23 in the prior week.

Summary

Influenza activity is on the increase in Pennsylvania of January 12, 2011:



Influenza (flu) activity was Regional during week 01; there was a significant increase in influenza-like illness (ILI) and lab confirmed influenza in two regions of the state.
2.4% of all outpatient Visits to doctors reported by sentinel physicians were for flu-like illnesses (IILI), which is above the state baseline (2.4%) but down from 2.8% reported the previous week.
Emergency Department (ED) visits for flu declined slightly in most regions of the state.
8 Influenza A outbreaks in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) reported, a twofold increase from 4 cases reported the previous week. Six of the recent outbreaks were in the southeast region, one was in the northcentral and the other was in the northwest region of the state.
460 flu cases were reported, a 75% increase from 263 cases reported the previous week. Most of the recent flu cases were reported in the NE and SE regions.
Nearly 90% of all specimens tested for influenza at the state lab were positive. Specimens tested at the state lab are mostly from people with influenza-like illness(ILI). This high positivity may suggest that most people presenting with ILI may actually have the flu.
Influenza type A accounted for 90% of flu viruses reported during week 52, flu type B caused the other 10%.
Seventy flu hospitalizations were reported, more than double the number (23) reported the previous week.
Three flu deaths were reported during week 01, in addittion to the eight deaths reported since October of 2010. A total of 11 flu deaths have been reported this season.
Eventhough the elderly (people over 65 years) account for only 22% of all flu cases reported so far, they account for more than half of all hospitalizations and deaths.
Most of the recent influenza hospitalizatons and deaths were in people who had no recent history of influenza vaccination. Flu vaccines are very effective at preventing influenza in children. Flu vaccines are readily available this season, are well matched to the circulating strains and there is still time to get a flu vaccine. The flu vaccine is good for anyone above 6 months of age. For information on influenza vaccination go to, flufreepa.com

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Week 1 report on hospitalized cases:

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Subtypes at week 1

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