World Flu Status in October 2011

 

Influenza Update October 2011

                                    World Influenza Status in October 2011

  (PULMAOSANEWS)– According World Health Organization (WHO) the influenza status situation is under control, except by some active areas as could be seen below:

 

World Summary Situation:

North Hemisphere

• Influenza activity in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere remains low or undetectable.

USA

Flu activity in the United States last week remained at low levels, with most indicators well below epidemic thresholds, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said today. Only 0.5% of respiratory specimens were positive for influenza, and the percentage of doctor’s visits for flu-like illness in the CDC’s flu surveillance network was 1%.

No pediatric flu deaths were reported, and the percentage of deaths from flu and pneumonia was 6.4%, putting it below the epidemic threshold.

Sporadic flu activity was reported by 18 states, along with the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.

Tropical Zone

• Influenza activity the tropical zone is active in a few countries of the Americas (Cuba, Honduras and El Salvador), central Africa (Cameroon), and Southern and Southeast Asia (Bangladesh, Cambodia, Thailand, Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Viet Nam.

South America and South Africa

• Transmission in South Africa and South America remains low and the season appears largely over.

Australia and New Zealand

• Influenza activity has peaked in Australia and New Zealand, though there are regional variations in the timing of the peaks and the season has not yet finished. Australia continues to see regional differences in the predominant virus subtype.

The PULMAOSA remember that the best manner to protect you and your family against flu is taking the influenza vaccinne.

See the flu locator to know where you can take your flu vaccine in USA

SOURCES:

PulmaoSANews

WHO