Pediatric deaths, hospitalizations rise in U.S. Swine Flu surge
ATLANTA – Pediatric deaths from Swine Flu continue to mount in the U.S. with 18 new fatalities reported by the CDC while children under four-years remain the most hospitalized of all age groups.
The latest report released by the CDC says 15 of the child deaths are confirmed to be Swine Flu while three were not sub-typed but are suspected to be cases of H1N1 virus.
“Total influenza hospitalization rates for laboratory-confirmed flu are climbing and are higher than expected for this time of year,” said the latest weekly report issued on Friday.
“Hospitalization rates continue to be highest is younger populations with the highest hospitalization rate reported in children 0-4 years old,” it said.
“The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) based on the 122 Cities Report continues to increase and has been higher for five week now than what is expected at this time of year,” said the disease control agency.
“In addition, 18 flu-related pediatric deaths were reported this week; 15 of these deaths were confirmed 2009 H1N1, and three were influenza A viruses, but were not sub-typed,” CDC said.
“Since April 2009, CDC has received reports of 129 laboratory-confirmed pediatric 2009 H1N1 deaths and another 15 pediatric deaths that were laboratory confirmed as influenza, but where the flu virus subtype was not determined,” it added.
Visits to doctors for flu like illness declined slightly this week after four consecutive increases over the past four week but are still at a much higher level than what is expected for this time of the year.
The visits are higher than what is seen at the peak of most regular flu seasons.
Overall hospitalizations now stand in excess of 17,838 for lab flu and pneumonia since April, mostly due by Swine Flu.
“Total influenza hospitalization rates for laboratory-confirmed flu are climbing and are higher than expected for this time of year,” it said.
48 states are reporting wide-spread Swine Flu activity.
“This many reports of widespread activity at this time of year are unprecedented during seasonal flu,” it said.
* 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.
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