A l a b a m a ’ s We e k l y I n fl u e n z a R e p o r t

Season: 2019-2020 | Week: 52 (December 22-December 28) | Year: 2019

Key messages from the Alabama Department of Public Health Through December 28

Takeaway Points
1. Statewide influenza-like illness (ILI) is at
Influenza 8.57%, which indicates influenza is actively
Adenovirus A/H1N1 circulating. One in 11 individuals are
visiting their doctor for ILI.

Human Influenza 2. If sick, stay at home until fever-free for

Bocavirus B/Victoria at least 24 hours without the use of
fever-reducing medications (e.g., Tylenol,
Motrin, etc.).
Human
Rhinovirus/ Parainfluenza 1 3. There are still a variety of respiratory
Enterovirus
illnesses circulating that present with
similar symptoms as influenza; therefore, it
Six respiratory viruses are known to be currently is important to wash your hands frequently
circulating throughout Alabama with soap and water.

Significant influenza activity

NRTH
has been detected in seven of
NERN the eight districts in Alabama
JEFF
WCEN
Districts with significant influenza
ECEN activity detected
Districts with lab-confirmed case(s)
within last 3 weeks
SWRN SERN Districts with no significant
influenza activity reported

Three non-pediatric and Statewide ILI is above the No influenza or ILI outbreak(s)
no pediatric deaths have threshold of concern were reported during the week
been reported this season
ending December 28
Notes:
* Information on outpatient visits to healthcare providers for ILI is collected through the U.S. Outpatient ILI Surveillance Network (ILINet). In Alabama, data are submitted using one of two methods: manual data
entry by providers (ILINet) or electronic transmission by hospitals of syndromic surveillance data (ESSENCE).
** Geographic spread is determined based on district activity levels and virologic surveillance.

1
 Key messages from the Centers for News from the Bureau of Clinical
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Laboratories (BCL)

Seasonal influenza activity (5.1%) in the • If you are a healthcare provider and need to
U.S. continues to increase and has been request flu kits:
elevated for 11 weeks. • Email FluTestKit@adph.state.al.us

Activity is being caused mostly by
influenza B/Victoria viruses, which is
unusual for this time of year. A/H1N1
viruses are the next most common and
are increasing in proportion relative to
other influenza viruses in some regions.
• Enter “flu test kit” in subject line. Explain
what you need (i.e., entire flu test kit,
individual items such as cooler, ice
packs, Dacron swabs, viral/universal
transport media, etc.)

Antiviral medications are an important

adjunct to flu vaccine in the control of
influenza. Almost all (>99%) of the
influenza viruses tested this season are
susceptible to the four FDA-approved
influenza antiviral medications
recommended for use in the U.S. this
season.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm

What You Should Know for the 2019-2020 Flu Season

• The overall hospitalization rate for the season is 6.6 per 100,000 persons. This is similar to what has been
seen at this time during other recent seasons.

• Nationally, the percentage of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) increased to 5.7%, but
remains below the epidemic threshold of 6.5%.

• Three new influenza-associated pediatric deaths occurring during the 2019-2020 season were reported to
CDC this week, bringing the total to 22 nationally. None have been reported in Alabama this season.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm

Resources
ADPH’s Influenza Website: http://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/influenza
ADPH’s Seasonal Trend Graph: http://alabamapublichealth.gov/influenza/assets/ili_bclpositives.pdf
CDC’s Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly