Another Week 44 - No DC Flu Deaths

There is some disagreement between the success of the District of Columbia's Department of Health's (DOH) efforts to inoculate the most vulnerable. We worked inside and outside with the department. On the outside the lining and waiting was not acceptable but on the inside the effort was smooth and efficient. The success is reflected in numbers. Again for the second week no reported deaths from the flu or reported to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Visits to doctors for influenza-like illness (ILI) nationally decreased this week over last week. This is the second week of national decreases in ILI after four consecutive weeks of sharp increases. While ILI declined overall nationally, visits to doctors for influenza-like illness remain higher than what is seen during the peak of many regular flu seasons.

JURISDICTIONS 2009 2008 2007 District of Columbia Baltimore, MD Richmond / Norfolk, VA 97 659 222 74 714 189 68 564 195 DEATH TOTALS WK 44 978 977 827

Total influenza hospitalization rates for laboratory-confirmed flu continue to climb and remain higher than expected for this time of year. Hospitalization rates continue to be highest in younger populations with the highest hospitalization rate reported in children 0-4 years old.

Almost all of the influenza viruses identified so far continue to be 2009 H1N1 influenza A viruses. These viruses remain similar to the virus chosen for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine, and remain susceptible to the antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir with rare exception.

We noticed that DC's good fortune isn't just restricted to the District - Norfolk also had only one loss this week as well. While decreases are to be applauded unless we believe that what was done before is or was good enough and that life isn't precious we do need to celebrate while doing all we can to do substantially better. We can always do better. We must!