Synopsis:Influenza activity in the United States continued to increase during week 46 (November 9 - 15, 2003). Six hundred seventy-one (30.7%) of 2,185 specimens tested by U.S. World Health Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) collaborating laboratories were positive for influenza. The proportion of patient visits to sentinel providers for influenza-like illness (ILI) overall was 3.3%, which is above the national baseline of 2.5%. The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza was 6.1%, which is below the epidemic threshold for the week. Two state health departments reported widespread influenza activity, 6 states reported regional activity, 11 states reported local influenza activity, 20 states, New York City, Guam, and Puerto Rico reported sporadic influenza activity, and 10 states and the District of Columbia reported no influenza activity.
�CDC INFLUENZA SUMMARY UPDATE Nov.15.03