(The following information is an 'Updated Influenza Health Advisory' issued by the Sonoma County Department of Health Services.)
There has been an accelerated increase in flu activity within Sonoma County and California. State‐wide flu activity is “widespread." ("Widespread" is defined as lab-confirmed flu in at least half of the regions of the state.)
The dominant strain remains, influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 (pH1N1), which is in all formulations of the 2013‐14 vaccine.
As of January 16th, there have been 12 cases of severe influenza (ICU admission or death) in Sonoma County in persons aged <65 years. Three of the 12 have died.
Clinicians should treat early and empirically, without relying on lab test results, especially in patients requiring hospitalization or with underlying conditions that increase their risk for severe disease.
There are no overall shortages of vaccine or antiviral medications. Rapid influenza test sensitivities vary and there are reports of patients with severe illness who were rapid test negative but subsequently influenza positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.
Vaccination and good infection control practices remain the best prevention strategies and vaccine remains widely available. For CA Dept of Public Health (CDPH) surveillance updates see:
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/dcdc/Pages/CaliforniaInfluenzaSurveillanceProject.aspx.
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