Health Advisory: Elevated Influenza Activity: Influenza B/Victoria and A (H1N1) Viruses are the Predominant Viruses
Grays Harbor County Public Health & Social Services Department
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reminds clinicians that influenza B viruses can cause severe illness in people of all ages, including children. CDC continues to recommend influenza vaccination and prompt antiviral treatment of high-risk outpatients and hospitalized patients with suspected influenza.
This health advisory notifies clinicians that influenza activity remains high in the United States. Ongoing elevated activity is due to influenza B/Victoria viruses, increasing circulation of influenza A(H1N1) viruses, and low levels of influenza B/Yamagata and influenza A(H3N2) viruses. CDC’s influenza forecasts suggest that national influenza activity will remain elevated for several more weeks. Because influenza activity is elevated and both influenza A and B virus infections can cause severe disease and death, this health advisory also serves as a reminder that early treatment with antiviral medications improves outcomes in patients with influenza. Early treatment with antiviral medications is recommended for hospitalized patients and high-risk outpatients, including children younger than two years.
Clinicians should continue efforts to vaccinate patients for as long as influenza viruses are circulating, and promptly start antiviral treatment of severely ill and high-risk patients with suspected influenza without waiting for laboratory confirmation.
So far this season, influenza B virus infections account for about half of hospitalizations reported through CDC’s laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalization surveillance network and the majority of reported influenza-associated pediatric deaths.
CDC continues to recommend everyone six months of age and older get vaccinated for influenza.
EPI NEWS is faxed to healthcare offices during events of public health significance. Please share or post so that others may see this. Sign up for Epi News by email at: lleitz@co.grays-harbor.wa.us.
Health Alert: Immediate action needed
Health Update: Updated information on Alert or Advisory
Health Advisory: May require immediate action
Info Service: Not of an emergent nature