2008 - 2009 Texas Influenza Surveillance Information
Influenza Surveillance Report for MMWR Week 44
The influenza (flu) activity level for Texas for the week ending November 1, 2008 was “sporadic.” Sporadic activity indicates that isolated reports of lab-confirmed influenza along with influenza-like illness have been reported. During week 44, seven (1.4%) 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 (HSRs) for week 44. HSR 1 reported an increase in flu activity compared to week 43; HSR 7 reported a decrease in flu activity. All other HSRs reported the same level of flu activity compared to week 43. 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 44, ten hospital laboratories and public health agencies across Texas reported conducting a total of 500 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). Four hundred and sixteen antigen detection tests for influenza were performed; five tests in Bexar and Nueces counties were positive for influenza A/not subtyped. No positive PCR results were reported. Two specimens collected from a 1-month-old child and a 14-year-old child, both residents of Bexar County, were positive by viral culture for influenza A/H1. Positive point-of-care rapid tests for influenza were reported by providers throughout the state (see county map below).
Influenza–Associated Pediatric Mortality
No influenza–associated pediatric fatalities were reported during week 44.
School Closures and Institutional Outbreaks
No school closures or institutional outbreaks were reported during week 44.
Sentinel Provider Surveillance Network
Sixty–two 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 44. Twenty-eight (45%) of these providers saw at least one patient with ILI. Of all patient visits during this week, 2.12% were due to ILI.
| Percentage of Influenza–Like Illness (ILI) Reported by Sentinel Providers in Texas (11/7/2008 3:51:18 PM) |
| Week |
# Reporting |
Age 0-4 |
Age 5-24 |
Age 25-64 |
Age over 64 |
Total ILI |
Total Patients |
% ILI |
| 2008-40 |
75 |
84 |
133 |
127 |
22 |
366 |
19907 |
1.84 |
| 2008-41 |
75 |
114 |
163 |
124 |
19 |
420 |
19716 |
2.13 |
| 2008-42 |
74 |
99 |
151 |
90 |
7 |
347 |
18993 |
1.83 |
| 2008-43 |
73 |
103 |
139 |
96 |
18 |
356 |
18899 |
1.88 |
| 2008-44 |
62 |
104 |
166 |
95 |
24 |
389 |
18383 |
2.12 |
National Influenza Activity Map
The map showing influenza activity in the United States for MMWR week 44 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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