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Flu Update - 2008-2009 Flu Season
Flu and Influenza-like Illness (ILI) Reporting:
WCCHD Enhanced Flu Surveillance System – Reporting Data for Week 44
(week ending 11/01/2008)
| Reporting Area |
# of Providers Reporting |
ILI* |
Non-differentiated Flu** |
Flu A** |
Flu B** |
Outbreaks or School Closures |
| Round Rock |
3 |
54 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
None Reported |
| Cedar Park/Leander |
2 |
19 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
None Reported |
| Georgetown |
5 |
15 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
None Reported |
| Taylor |
3 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
None Reported |
| ALL AREAS |
13 |
98 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
None Reported |
Cumulative statistics by area and reporter
type
The WCCHD flu surveillance system does not attempt to capture all cases
of influenza or influenza-like illness. The number of reporters sending
in flu reports may vary from week to week. These data should be used to
look for trends over time rather than for estimating the total number of
cases.
The chart below shows the number of influenza-like illnesses and
influenza cases reported thus far for the 2007 – 2008 flu season in
Williamson County. The chart may be updated for previous weeks to
reflect data submitted late to WCCHD. Note that the number of reports
received from school districts decreased during weeks 47, 52, 1, and 11
due to the Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and Spring Break holidays
respectively. The lower number of ILI and flu cases is most likely due
to fewer reporters collecting surveillance data rather than an actual
decrease in ILI and flu in the community. There remains an overall
upward trend for ILI activity in Williamson County.
Charts and Trends from Previous Flu Seasons
in Williamson County.
* Influenza-like illness (ILI) — Fever (temperature of
≥100ºF [37.8 ºC]) and a cough and/or a sore throat in the absence of a
known
cause other than influenza.
** Influenza (“flu”) — Illness due to influenza virus as
confirmed by laboratory testing. Different types of laboratory testing
may be performed to detect the influenza virus. Flu cases confirmed
with different tests are combined under the category “total flu” for
reporting purposes.
- Rapid flu testing—often used in health care provider’s office or emergency
room. Rapid tests may not differentiate between influenza A and
influenza B.
- Viral culture—isolating the influenza virus from a specimen takes longer,
but can provide specific information about the strains and subtypes of virus
impacting a community. Culture is currently the primary means for
detecting a new or novel influenza A virus or an influenza virus that is
resistant to drugs.
Williamson County Flu Notes
Links
Last updated 11/05/08
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