Influenza

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At a Glance

Philadelphia Seasonal Influenza Activity (last updated 3/22/21)

Number of Lab-Confirmed Reports: 11*
Number of Hospitalized Cases: 11**
Number of Deaths: 0

*Different surveillance systems are maintained for influenza. Only a subset of laboratories report positive influenza results.

**Reports not limited to facilities who participate in laboratory testing.

Current Recommendations

Current Recommendations

Annual influenza vaccine is recommended for ALL persons 6 months of age or older. Providers should offer influenza vaccination to all patients at every opportunity.
Healthcare worker influenza vaccination is recommended and endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and almost every professional organization. Providers should be vaccinated to protect patients, themselves, and their families.
Respiratory etiquette is also important during influenza season. Everyone should cover their cough and practice regular hand-washing, especially when symptomatic.

Latest Updates: Influenza activity is currently characterized as LOW in Pennsylvania (influenza outbreaks or increases in influenza-like illness cases or laboratory-confirmed influenza in at least half of a state's regions.)

Health Alerts

View all alerts for Influenza

Sign Up For Alerts

Topic	Priority Priority Alert Conveys the highest level of importance; warrants immediate action or attention. Advisory Provides important information for a specific incident or situation; may not require immediate action. Notification Provides information regarding an incident or situation; unlikely to require immediate action. Update Provides updated information regarding an incident or situation; unlikely to require immediate action.	Date of Alert
No Health Alerts Found
Updated Guidance about COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccines	Advisory	Dec 7, 2021
Elevated Influenza Activity: Influenza B/Victoria and A(H1N1)pdm09 Viruses are the Predominant Viruses	Advisory	Jan 10, 2020
Influenza Activity is Elevated in Philadelphia: Clinical Reminders for the 2018–2019 Season	Advisory	Feb 4, 2019
Influenza Transmission High in Philadelphia: Public Health Recommendations to Limit Transmission	Advisory	Feb 1, 2018
Increasing Influenza Activity in Philadelphia: Clinical Reminders for the 2017–2018 Season	Advisory	Jan 12, 2018

Surveillance

Vaccine Information

Diagnosis & Management

It is very difficult to distinguish flu from other viral or bacterial respiratory illnesses based on symptoms alone. There are tests available to diagnose flu. More information is available: Diagnosing Flu.

Resources

For Healthcare Providers:

Reporting to PDPH

The following influenza cases need to be reported to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH)

Hospitalized persons with laboratory-confirmed influenza (including positive rapid antigen tests)
Persons admitted to the ICU with laboratory-confirmed influenza, RSV, rhinovirus, adenovirus, parainfluenza, or human metapneumovirus infections
Fatal cases of laboratory-confirmed or suspected influenza, RSV, rhinovirus, adenovirus, parainfluenza, and human metapneumovirus
Suspect novel influenza A cases including those with:
- Influenza A virus detected but not subtypeable
- Influenza-like illness (temperature equal to or greater than 100ºF and cough and/or sore throat without other known etiology)and report direct or indirect exposure to swine or live poultry or travel to area with ongoing transmission of avian influenza within week prior to symptom onset
Institutional outbreaks of respiratory illness including those occurring in a long-term care facility, school, childcare center, or shelter. Outbreaks are defined as one laboratory-confirmed case or two or more cases of Influenza-like illness in a facility.
Report influenza cases to PDPH by calling 215-685-6740 during business hours or completing and faxing an influenza report form below to 215-238-6947
- Fillable influenza report form
- Fillable other respiratory virus report form