CDC: Swine Flu remains epidemic with 171 child deaths

Latest Swine Flu map for U.S.

ATLANTA – Deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza remained above the epidemic threshold for the seventh consecutive week across the U.S. with 21 pediatric deaths reported to the Centers for Disease Control.

Of the 21 deaths, 15 were positive for Swine Flu while six were not sub-typed. A total of 171 child deaths from Swine Flu have now been reported to CDC.

The CDC said 138 child deaths were reported from Aug. 30 to Nov. 14 and of those, 118 were lab confirmed to be caused by Swine Flu while 25 deaths were not sub-typed but were thought to be Swine Flu as well.

“From August 30 – November 14, 2009, 26,315 laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalizations and 1,049 laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated deaths were reported to CDC,” said the agency in its latest weekly bulletin.

The CDC  reset all counters on Aug. 30 so prior deaths from H1N1 that occurred since April are not included in the new tally being reported.

“During week 45, 7.5% of all deaths reported through the 122-Cities Mortality Reporting System were due to P&I. This percentage was above the epidemic threshold of 6.9% for week 45. Including week 45, P&I mortality has been above threshold for seven consecutive weeks,” said the CDC as 43 states reported widespread geographic spread of swine flu related illness.

Of the 138 child deaths, a majority, 50, occurred in children aged 5-11, while 48 occurred in children aged 12 to 17.

“Since August 30, 2009, CDC has received 138 reports of influenza-associated pediatric deaths that occurred during the current influenza season (24 deaths in children less than 2 years old, 16 deaths in children 2-4 years old, 50 deaths in children 5-11 years old, and 48 deaths in children 12-17 years old),” CDC said.

“ One hundred thirteen (82%) of the138 deaths were due to 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infections, and the remaining 25 were associated with influenza A virus for which the subtype is undetermined. A total of 171 deaths in children associated with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been reported to CDC.”

Since April 26,  200 children have died from the flu, a majority, 171 from confirmed Swine Flu, 28 from unsubtypable Influenza A – most likely Swine flu while one child died from seasonal flu.

“The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) was 5.5% which is above the national baseline of 2.3%. All 10 regions reported ILI above region-specific baseline levels,” and remained at the epidemic level much higher than norms for flu seasons.

Children under four continue to have the highest rate of hospitalizations.

CDC also reports:

Forty-three states reported geographically widespread influenza activity, Puerto Rico and seven states reported regional influenza activity, the District of Columbia reported local influenza activity, and Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands reported sporadic influenza activity.

While figures remain high for deaths, hospitalizations and visits to doctors, there is a slight declining trend caused by lowered activity flu activity in three states.

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