- The influenza (flu) activity level (geographic spread of influenza) for Texas was “sporadic” and the ILINet Activity Level Indicator (intensity of influenza-like illness) was “minimal”. For more information please see http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluactivitysurv.htm and the national FluView weekly report at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/.
- Ten specimens tested by NREVSS laboratories in Texas were positive for influenza. Four specimens were positive for influenza (one positive for influenza A (H3N2) and three positive for influenza B) by PCR test. All other positive tests were antigen detection tests.
- The percentage of visits for influenza-like illness as reported by ILINet providers was below the Texas baseline.
- No influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported.
- No outbreaks of influenza or ILI were reported.
- No variant influenza viruses were reported.
Reports from Health Service Regions
Reports were received from all Health Service Regions (HSRs) for week 41. HSRs 7, 8, 9/10, and 11 reported an increased level of flu activity compared to week 40. All other HSRs reported the same level of flu activity compared to week 40. For a map of Health Service Regions please visit the following website: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/regions/state.shtm
Laboratory Results
Influenza
During week 41, nine hospital laboratories and public health agencies across Texas reported conducting a total of 531 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-four percent of the influenza tests reported to NREVSS were antigen detection tests; these tests cannot identify the subtype of influenza detected. The results from Texas participants in NREVSS are summarized in the table below. Additional influenza test results (rapid tests, culture, PCR) were reported from providers and public health departments throughout the state (see county map at the end of this report).
Influenza Testing Results Reported by Texas NREVSS Laboratories
Testing Information
|
Week 41
|
| No. of specimens tested |
531
|
| No. of positive specimens (%) |
10 (1.88%) |
| Positive specimens by type/subtype |
| Influenza A |
2 (20%)
|
| Subtyping performed |
1 (50%)
|
A (2009 H1N1)
|
0 (0%)
|
A (other H1N1)
|
0 (0%)
|
| A (H3N2) |
1 (100%)
|
| Subtyping not performed |
1 (50%)
|
| Influenza B |
8 (80%)
|
Influenza results (antigen detection, culture, and PCR) from NREVSS reporters for the 2012–13 season are presented in the graph below.
Other Respiratory Viruses
The NREVSS system collects information on a variety of respiratory viruses in addition to influenza including parainfluenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus, human metapneumovirus (HMPV), and respiratory adenovirus. The results from week 41 are summarized below. (Three non-NREVSS laboratories also contribute to the RSV data below.)
Other Respiratory Virus Results Reported by Texas NREVSS Laboratories
Virus
|
Number of Laboratories Testing
|
Tests Performed
|
Positive Tests
|
Percentage of Tests Positive
|
| Adenovirus (respiratory) |
6
|
319
|
15
|
4.70%
|
| HMPV |
6
|
261
|
1
|
0.38%
|
| Parainfluenza |
8
|
325
|
19
|
5.85%
|
| Rhinovirus |
4
|
181
|
58
|
32.04%
|
| RSV |
19
|
302
|
21
|
6.95%
|
Antigenic Characterization
No antigenic characterization results are available for the 2012-2013 season at this time.
The national antigenic characterization and antiviral resistance testing results may be found in the CDC weekly flu report at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/. The DSHS Laboratory sends a representative sample of influenza viruses to the CDC throughout the flu season.
Antiviral Resistance
No antiviral resistance results for Texas for the 2012-2013 season are available at this time.
For more information on antiviral medications please see http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/antivirals/index.htm.
Variant Influenza Viruses
No variant influenza viruses have been detected in Texas during 2012.
Influenza–Associated Pediatric Mortality
No influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported during week 41. Please see the table below for more information.
Influenza-Associated Pediatric Deaths in Texas Residents by Type, Subtype, and Month
Month of
Pediatric death
|
Influenza Type A |
Total
Influenza
Type B |
Total,
All Influenza
Types and
Subtypes |
| Subtypes |
Total
Influenza A,
All Subtypes |
2009
H1N1 |
Other
H1N1 |
H3N2 |
Not Subtyped |
| 2012 |
| October |
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| Total |
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Cases of influenza-associated pediatric mortality (children <18 years of age) are reportable year-round and by law in Texas. Please see http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/investigation/conditions/ for more information.
School Closures and Institutional Outbreaks
No institutional outbreaks or school closures were reported during week 41. Information on the control of influenza in various settings may be found on the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/infectioncontrol/.
U.S. Outpatient Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Network
Thirty-five providers in Texas reported data to the U.S. Outpatient Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Network (ILINet) (formerly known as the U.S. Influenza Sentinel Provider Surveillance System) on patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) and total patients seen for any reason during week 41. Of the 35 providers who saw patients, 19 (54%) saw at least one patient with ILI. Of all patient visits during this week, 3.19% were due to ILI. The ILI baseline for Texas is 4.77% for the 2012–2013 season. The baseline is the mean percentage of patient visits for ILI during non-influenza weeks for the previous three seasons plus two standard deviations. A “non-influenza week” is defined as a week that accounted for less than 2% of the season’s total number of specimens that tested positive for influenza.
Percentage of Visits for Influenza–Like Illness Reported by
the US Outpatient Influenza–Like Illness Surveillance Network (ILINet) in Texas
10/19/2012 8:35:00 AM
Week
|
# Reports
|
Age 0-4 |
Age 5-24 |
Age 25-49 |
Age 50-64 |
Age 65 + |
Total ILI |
Total Patients |
% ILI |
| 2012-40 |
49 |
204 |
294 |
169 |
33 |
7 |
707 |
24824 |
2.85% |
| 2012-41 |
35 |
170 |
292 |
163 |
59 |
23 |
707 |
22140 |
3.19% |
National Influenza Activity
The current U.S. flu weekly report (FluView) may be found at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluactivitysurv.htm.
International Influenza Activity
The CDC compiles information from several sources and releases an international influenza summary. This report can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/international/activity.htm.
1Influenza activity level corresponds to current MMWR week only and does not reflect previous weeks' activity.
2The majority of influenza cases are not reportable by law to the Texas Department of State Health Services. This map contains data from sentinel sites and does not represent all influenza cases in the state.
3Positive laboratory results are reported according to specimen collection date or date received in the lab if the former is unknown.
2012 - 2013 Texas Influenza Surveillance Information --- Flu Reports
For the week ending: 10/06/12; 10/13/12;
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