Influenza
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
| Topic |
Priority
Priority
|
Date of Alert |
|---|---|---|
| No Health Alerts Found | ||
| Urgent CDC Recommendations on Immunizations and Therapeutics Given Increased Respiratory Disease Activity | Advisory | Dec 27, 2023 |
| Guidance for Clinicians on Human Infections with Variant Influenza Viruses | Alert | Aug 15, 2023 |
| Testing for Influenza in Persons with Severe Respiratory Illness | Advisory | Jun 23, 2023 |
| Interim Guidance for Clinicians to Prioritize Antiviral Treatment of Influenza in the Setting of Reduced Availability of Oseltamivir | Advisory | Dec 15, 2022 |
| Increased Need for Outpatient Pediatric Sick Appointments | Advisory | Nov 9, 2022 |
Surveillance
- PDPH Influenza Surveillance (Weekly Update)
- PA DOH Influenza Activity (Weekly Update)
- CDC Flu Activity and Surveillance (Weekly Update)
Vaccine Information
- Influenza vaccination is the most effective tool available to prevent illness due to influenza. Getting vaccinated reduces the risk of flu-related doctor's visits, hospitalization, and death.
- Anyone can receive an age-appropriate influenza vaccine except infants <6 months of age and people with history of a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction to flu vaccine or any flu vaccine ingredient. Most people with egg allergies can receive flu vaccines.
- Flu vaccine is especially important for people who are at higher risk of serious complications from influenza including children <5 years, adults 65 years and older, pregnant women and people who have:
- Asthma and other chronic lung diseases
- Diabetes
- Metabolic disorders
- Immunocompromising conditions (i.e., HIV/AIDS, cancer) or who take immunocompromising medicines
- Neurologic conditions
- Obesity
- Blood disorders like sickle cell diseases
- Providers should continue to give influenza vaccine as long as influenza is still circulating in the community.
- PDPH PhilaVax Immunization Information System
- PDPH Community Flu Clinics
- CDC Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Resources
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
Health Educational Materials
- PDPH Influenza Fact Sheet
- Pregnancy and Influenza Frequently Asked Questions
- Information for Employees and Employers
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Respiratory Health and Influenza Posters
Links and Resources
Guidelines for Management and Control
Healthcare Facilities
Long Term Care Facilities
- In Service Presentation
- Outbreak Tracking Sheet
- PADOH Flu Recommendations for Long Term Care
- CDC Interim Guidance for Influenza Outbreak Management in Long Term Care Facility
- CDC Influenza Toolkit for Long Term Care Providers
Childcare Centers
- PDPH Preventing and Managing Influenza in Childcare Settings
- PA DoH Flu Recommendations for Childcare Settings
- CDC Information for Schools and Childcare Providers
K-12 Schools
Shelters
Animal Exposures
- PDPH Guidance for the Prevention, Recognition, and Management of Avian and Swine Influenza within Animal Care and Exhibition Settings
- CDC Information In Swine Influenza/Variant Influenza Viruses
For Patients and Community Members:
Posters:
PDPH Stop the Cough (PDF)
Cover Your Cough (PDF)
I Can't Cover my Shift (PDF)
Got The Flu? (PDF)
They Count On You! (PDF)
Stop, It's Flu Season (PDF)
