2007 - 2008 Texas Influenza Surveillance Information

Influenza Surveillance Report for MMWR Week 12

The influenza (flu) activity level for Texas for the week ending March 22, 2008 was “regional.” During week 12, 104 (18.1%) specimens tested by NREVSS laboratories in Texas were positive for influenza. Of all the specimens that were positive for influenza, 87 (83.7%) were positive for influenza B. The percentage of visits due to influenza–like illness (ILI) as reported by SPSN providers in Texas was below baseline. Flu activity in Texas in week 12 continued to decrease in all regions.

Reports from Health Service Regions

Laboratory Results

Additional positive results from point-of-care rapid flu tests were reported by providers throughout the state (see Texas map below).

Antigenic Characterization

Influenza A/H1 [7]

• Seven (100%) of the seven viruses were characterized as A/Solomon Islands/3/2006, the influenza A/H1 component of the 2007–08 influenza vaccine for the Northern Hemisphere.

• Two (8%) of the 24 viruses were characterized as A/Wisconsin/67/2005–like, the influenza A/H3 component of the 2007–08 influenza vaccine for the Northern Hemisphere.
• Twenty–one (88%) of the 24 viruses were characterized as A/Brisbane/10/2007–like. A/Brisbane/10/2007 is a recent antigenic variant which evolved from A/Wisconsin/67/2005–like.
• One (4%) of the 24 viruses showed somewhat reduced titers with antisera produced against A/Wisconsin/67/2005 and A/Brisbane/10/2007.

Victoria lineage [0]
• The influenza B component for the 2007–08 influenza vaccine is a B/Malaysia/2506/2004–like virus, belonging to the B/Victoria lineage.
  Yamagata lineage [3]
• Three (100%) of the three viruses were identified as belonging to the B/Yamagata lineage of viruses.

These results are very similar to national antigenic characterization results. The national 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.

Influenza–Associated Pediatric Mortality

School Closures and Institutional Outbreaks

No school closures were reported during week 12.

Sentinel Provider Surveillance Network

 

 

 

National Influenza Activity Map

The map showing influenza activity in the United States for MMWR week 12 is displayed below. The current U.S. flu weekly report may be found

For more information on flu surveillance activities in the State of Texas, please visit our main surveillance page.

*Influenza activity level corresponds to current MMWR week only and does not reflect previous weeks' activity.

2007 - 2008 Texas Influenza Surveillance Information --- Flu Reports

For the week ending: 10/6/07; 10/13/07; 10/20/07; 10/27/07; 11/03/07; 11/10/07; 11/17/07; 11/24/07; 12/01/07; 12/08/07; 12/15/07; 12/22/07; 12/29/07; 01/05/08; 01/12/08; 01/19/08; 01/26/08; 02/02/08; 02/09/08; 02/16/08; 02/23/08; 03/01/08; 03/08/08; 03/15/08; 03/22/08; 03/29/08; 04/05/08; 04/12/08; 04/19/08; 04/26/08; 05/03/08; 05/10/08; 05/17/08; Annual Summary;

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