Since November 30, 1982, increasing influenza activity has been
reported, including two nursing home outbreaks in upstate New
York--one November 30-December 16 and one beginning December 18.
In a
Monroe County nursing home, about 63 (26%) of 240 residents
experienced influenza-like illness, and six of 12 respiratory
specimens collected grew influenza A(H3N2) virus. Preliminary
laboratory results from the second outbreak also suggest an
association with influenza virus; morbidity data are pending.
Overall
influenza-like illness in the region is not unusually elevated. In
Idaho and Montana, however, several reports indicate increased
influenza activity since December 20. In one small community, for
example, school absenteeism (about 20%) caused premature closing
before the winter vacation, and in several areas of the state
physicians reported increased office visits, emergency room visits,
or
hospital admissions from influenza-like illness. An outbreak of
influenza-like illness in an Idaho nursing home has also been
reported. Although laboratory diagnosis is pending in Idaho, eight
influenza A(H3N2) viruses have been isolated in Montana, including
several from children with acute respiratory illness. In Arizona,
Georgia, Hawaii, and Utah, sporadic cases of influenza have been
confirmed by isolation of type A(H3N2) strains.
Reported by R. Betts, PhD, University of Rochester School of
Medicine,
New York; L Minnich, MSc, G Ray, MD, University of Arizona Medical
School; State Laboratory Directors and State Epidemiologists; Field
Svcs Div, Epidemiology Program Office, WHO Collaborating Center for
Influenza, Influenza Br, Center for Infectious Diseases, CDC.
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