It's still all H1N1 Influenza

As you can see from the graph we are still having quite a bit of influenza A circulating and from the CDC and LA County information we know that this is almost exclusively H1N1. We have not yet seen seasonal influenza circulating and have had only a few influenza B. Parainfluenza also is circulating, although in much smaller numbers than influenza A. The overall influenza trend in our reporting sites is paralleling the experience nationwide with a downturn in the number of positive tests and hospital admissions for influenza A and ILI.

There are very few positive RSV tests and we would expect this to increase as we head into December. Stay tuned to this site and we will keep you updated on all respiratory viruses detected in the LA County area.

Respiratory Viral Isolates

H1N1 Update

As you can see from the graph below, the cases of influenza A continue to rise and most likely have not yet peaked.
The LA County Department of health and the CDC tell us that 99% of the Influenza A isolated is the novel 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. We have yet to see wide circulation of seasonal influenza, however there have been sporadic cases of influenza B.
We expect the number of cases to continue to rise in the Southern California region and most sites are reporting about a 20-25% positivity rate for specimens submitted for testing. The distribution of the virus is worldwide and vaccine is newly available.
We have seen a few positive RSV cases, consistent with previous seasons at this time of year. We would expect the number of RSV positives to start to pick up in the next month and we will be on the look out for seasonal influenza as well.

It's all Influenza A right now!

VIral Season to Date

You may have noticed a different look to the graph AND I have included the entire season from 2008-09. We had a few months of viral respite but starting from late April onwards we have had a consistent number of tests positive for influenza A (99% of the isolates that have been sent for subtyping have been the 2009 Novel H1N1 influenza).
Stay updated on this site for RSV activity information and further information about H1N1 as well as seasonal influenza. What may not be apparent from the graph is the parainfluenza we are seeing as well.

Respiratory Viral Isolates 2009-09

Respiratory Viral Activity (Just Influenza A!)

Huge increases in Influenza A (H1N1)

Respiratory Virus Activity in Southern California

Respiratory Viral Activity In Southern California

This blog has been on a month long hiatus due to the normal end of respiratory viral season. However, as you are all aware we are in the midst of an influenza pandemic with a novel virus: H1N1, formerly known as "Swine Flu".

The virus is now at pandemic levels per CDC and WHO criteria and the most up to date information can be accessed at these websites as well as the Los Angeles County website (http://www.lapublichealth.org/acd/Flu_Sea_Surveillance.htm)

The local numbers being reported out of our are not large at the present time, but much higher than what would be expected for this time of the year. As of June 26, 2009, 27,717 confirmed and probable infections with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus and 127 deaths (33 deaths in individuals less than 25 years, 89 deaths in adults 25 years of age older, and five deaths with unknown age) have been identified by CDC and state and local public health departments.

Of additional interest is that with the increased testing of febrile respiratory illnesses we are also seeing a jump in other non-influenza viruses such as parainfluenza (type 3) and human metapneumonvirus. All that coughs is not influenza!

Influenza Activity Nationwide