Southern California Respiratory Viral Isolates

It's still all H1N1 Influenza

noreply@blogger.com (csmcid) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:00:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (csmcid) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:59:00 +0000

H1N1 Update

noreply@blogger.com (csmcid) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:23:00 +0000

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!

noreply@blogger.com (csmcid) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:22:00 +0000

VIral Season to Date

noreply@blogger.com (csmcid) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:56:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (csmcid) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:54:00 +0000

Respiratory Viral Activity (Just Influenza A!)

noreply@blogger.com (csmcid) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:05:00 +0000

Huge increases in Influenza A (H1N1)

noreply@blogger.com (csmcid) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:17:00 +0000

Respiratory Virus Activity in Southern California

noreply@blogger.com (csmcid) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:19:00 +0000

Respiratory Viral Activity In Southern California

noreply@blogger.com (csmcid) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:25:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (csmcid) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:23:00 +0000

Respiratory Viral Activity In Southern California

noreply@blogger.com (csmcid) — Wed, 20 May 2009 21:36:00 +0000

Increased testing from all centers

noreply@blogger.com (csmcid) — Fri, 08 May 2009 19:49:00 +0000

There is very little RSV circulating (1.4% of samples submitted were positive) but we have had a huge uptick in the number of specimens being tested. This is due to the recent H1N1 influenza (formerly Swine Flu) pandemic that started at the end of last month. Due to increases in testing we are seeing quite a bit of parainfluenza and influenza B, more than we would normally know about this time of year.

The best source for up to date information about this new influenza strain can be found on the Los Angeles County's Website (www.ladhs.org) and the CDC's website (www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu).

Respiratory Viral Activity In Southern California

noreply@blogger.com (csmcid) — Fri, 08 May 2009 19:47:00 +0000

Respiratory Viral Activity In Southern California

noreply@blogger.com (csmcid) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:32:00 +0000

As you can see from the graphs we are at the end of SEASONAL influenza and RSV seasons. We had only a few RSV positive samples last week for 1% of tested samples.

We are seeing some Parainfluenza (mostly 2 and 3) and a few human metapneumoviruses as well.

We have had a few influenza B isolated and of course we are all keeping our eyes fixed on the changing situation here and abroad with Swine Flu (H1N1).
The most up to date information can be obtained on the CDC website: CDC.gov/swineflu and I would recommend consulting this for questions concerning possible suspect cases. Currently , individuals in California with a positive exposure history who are symptomatic and test positive for influenza A are having their isolates analyzed by the county health departments for verification of swine flu. Recommendations for isolation, treatment and prophylaxis can be found on this frequently updated website.

RSV Activity

noreply@blogger.com (csmcid) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:31:00 +0000

Respiratory Viral Activity

noreply@blogger.com (csmcid) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:30:00 +0000

RSV Activity

noreply@blogger.com (csmcid) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:45:00 +0000

All Respiratory Viruses (including hMPV)

noreply@blogger.com (csmcid) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:41:00 +0000

Respiratory Viral Activity In Southern California

noreply@blogger.com (csmcid) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:39:00 +0000

Respiratory Viral Activity In Southern California

noreply@blogger.com (csmcid) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 21:48:00 +0000

We are certainly winding down RSV (and influenza) season in Southern California. We had a late and slow influenza season and are just now seeing the tail end with more B in the community than A (we had twice as many B isolates last week than A, although the numbers are quite small). Interestingly we are also seeing some late season human metapneumovirus. Only two of our sites report detection of this virus, but hopefully next season we will have more sites performing PCR for this agent. Last week we had more hMPV isolates than RSV, influenza, adenovirus and parinfluenza combined!! We have now been <10% for two consecutive weeks, so officially we are OUT of endemic RSV, but stay tuned for detection of late season influenza and hMPV!

RSV Activity

noreply@blogger.com (csmcid) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 21:47:00 +0000

RSV Activity

noreply@blogger.com (csmcid) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:02:00 +0000

Respiratory Viral Activity

noreply@blogger.com (csmcid) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:58:00 +0000

Respiratory Viruses in Southern California

noreply@blogger.com (csmcid) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:21:00 +0000

It looks as if the RSV season may be winding down. Our current numbers show us to be running about 12% (details to follow in the next few days). We are still seeing influenza virus (Influenza B are actually exceeding Influenza A isolates nationally).
Based on the strains isolated this year the vaccine for next year has been recommended and includes a new Influenza B strain (a poor match this season).
Also interesting is the number of postive tests for human metapneumovirus. Not all of our reporting sites are testing for this, but from the sites that do, the numbers are up from last year.
Stay tuned to this site for updates.