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Special Edition

Influenza Update

Week 51: December 15–21, 2013
Washington State Department of Health, Communicable Disease Epidemiology
Please note all data are preliminary and may change as data is updated.
State Summary: Flu activity continued to increase in Washington during week 51.

•   During week 51, 49 (13%) of 377 specimens tested by the World Health Organization (WHO) collaborating laboratories in Washington were positive for influenza. Most viruses were influenza A(2009 H1N1) viruses.
  
•   The number and proportion of positive influenza tests at select clinical laboratories increased.
  
•   The proportion of emergency room visits attributed to influenza-like illness (ILI) was above the baseline in
  western Washington for the first week and remained below the baseline in eastern Washington.
  
•   Three laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated deaths have been reported to the department this flu season. 
  
  
   Pic by the Shannons
  
  
  The high activity of influenza-like illnesses in Alabama, and many other states along the Gulf Coast, reported by the Centers for Disease Control this week has health officials on alert.
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  Influenza was widespread in 10 states, including Kansas and Wyoming, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday in its report for the week that ended Dec. 21. Nebraska and Iowa reported "regional" influenza outbreaks or influenza-related illnesses. "Regional" is the level below "widespread."

  
  "Week by week, we're seeing a steady, incremental increase," said Dr. Tom Safranek, Nebraska's state epidemiologist.
  
  Safranek and Mark Rupp, chief of the division of infectious diseases at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, both said the flu shot is the best way to avoid getting influenza....

  

  HAPPY BIRTHDAY ED- YOU ARE 59 BUT YOU ALREADY KNEW IT
  THANKS FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR ALL THE WORK YOU HAVE
  DONATED TO OUR TRAIL. GOODGUY ED

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