Philadelphia Influenza Surveillance Updates:

PDPH tracks influenza activity in Philadelphia, especially severe influenza disease. Providers should report all hospitalized influenza cases, influenza deaths in children, and influenza outbreaks in closed settings like long-term care facilities and shelters.

Week 45: For week 45, influenza-like illnesses increased among children and adolescents. Similar to recent weeks, detections of influenza, primarily influenza A, have continued to rise sharply at local hospital laboratories. Overall, the mid-Atlantic region is seeing moderate to high influenza activity. Due to gaps in severe influenza case (Philadelphia resident, positive by rapid test, PCR or culture, and hospitalized for ≥ 24 hrs) reporting, data for severe cases is on hold and will be included in future reports. Two influenza outbreaks have been reported (≥ 1 case of laboratory confirmed flu reported in a long term care facility) so far this season, with a third facility under investigation. Current Report: Click here to download the last weekly report of influenza activity (from November 6 through November 12, 2022) in a printable format.

State and National Influenza Surveillance Updates:

Pennsylvania: Please note that PADOH influenza data is on hold, and updates will begin again on November 30, 2022. As of November 4, 2022 The Pennsylvania Department of Health (PDOH) has reported that flu activity is high and is higher than the past five flu seasons at week 44. Emergency department visits with flu-like symptoms remains low. Influenza A (H3N2) viruses have been identified as the predominant type detected. There has been a total of 12,065 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza (positive by rapid test, PCR, or culture), these reports were received from 66 of the 67 counties. There have been two influenza associated deaths this season. For more information, please visit: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/Flu/Pages/2022-23-Flu.aspx

United States: As of November 12, 2022, the CDC reports that influenza activity is elevated across the country. The cumulative hospitalization rate is higher than the rate observed in week 45 during every previous season since 2010-2011. Clinical laboratories have reported 15,308 influenza detections out of 103,830 specimens tested (14.7%), 99.2% of which tested positive for influenza A. Influenza A(H3N2) has been the predominant subtype; however, the proportion of influenza A(H1N1) is increasingly slightly. Seven pediatric deaths have been recorded so far this season. For more information, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm