2008 - 2009 Texas Influenza Surveillance Information
Influenza Surveillance Report for MMWR Week 41
The influenza (flu) activity level for Texas for the week ending October 11, 2008 was “no activity.” No specimens tested by NREVSS laboratories in Texas were positive for influenza. Flu is occurring in the state at a very low level.
Reports from Health Service Regions
Reports were received from all Health Service Regions for week 41. For a map of Health Service Regions, please visit the following website:
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/regions/state.shtm
Laboratory Results
During week 41, six hospital laboratories and public health agencies across Texas reported conducting a total of 96 influenza tests (antigen, culture, and PCR) to the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS )sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Forty-two antigen detection tests for influenza were performed; all tests were negative. Positive point-of-care rapid tests for influenza were reported by providers throughout the state (see county map below). Care should be taken when relying on results of point-of-care rapid diagnostic test kits during times when influenza is not circulating widely. The sensitivity and specificity of these tests vary and the positive predictive value may be low outside the time of peak influenza activity. Positive results on rapid flu tests should be confirmed by viral culture if possible. No positive PCR or culture results were reported.
Influenza–Associated Pediatric Mortality
No influenza–associated pediatric fatalities were reported during week 41.
School Closures and Institutional Outbreaks
No school closures or institutional outbreaks were reported during week 41.
Sentinel Provider Surveillance Network
Forty–six sentinel providers in Texas reported data to the U.S. Influenza Sentinel Provider Surveillance System (SPSN) on patients with influenza–like illness (ILI) and total patients seen for any reason during week 41; sixteen (35%) of those providers saw at least one patient with ILI. Of all patient visits during this week, 1.81% were due to ILI.
| Percentage of Influenza–Like Illness (ILI) Reported by Sentinel Providers in Texas as of (10/17/2008 3:28:54 PM) |
| Week |
# Reporting |
Age 0-4 |
Age 5-24 |
Age 25-64 |
Age over 64 |
Total ILI |
Total Patients |
% ILI |
| 2008-40 |
55 |
68 |
110 |
107 |
19 |
304 |
16274 |
1.87 |
| 2008-41 |
46 |
63 |
97 |
99 |
12 |
271 |
14992 |
1.81 |
National Influenza Activity Map
The map showing influenza activity in the United States for MMWR week 41 is displayed below. The current U.S. flu weekly report may be found at: here.
 *This map indicates geographic spread and does not measure the severity of influenza activity.
For more information on flu surveillance activities in the State of Texas, please visit our main surveillance page.
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Texas Department of State Health Services - Infectious Disease Control Unit
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