Source: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2003; 52(Dispatch): 1-2 Fri 19 Dec [edited]
<http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm52d1219a1.htm>


United States: influenza-associated deaths among children aged <18 Years,
2003/2004 influenza season -- update
------------------------------------------
Since October 2003, 42 influenza-associated deaths among children aged <18
years have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC). All patients had influenza virus infection detected by rapid antigen
testing or other laboratory testing methods. This report describes
preliminary findings, as of 17 Dec 2003. To improve surveillance, CDC has
requested that all influenza-associated deaths of children aged <18 years
be reported to CDC through state health departments.

Among the 42 reported deaths, 20 (48 per cent) patients were male, and 21
(50 per cent) were female; the sex of one patient was not reported. 23 (55
per cent) of the children were aged <5 years, and 13 (31 per cent) were
aged 6 to 23 months. The median age was 4 years (range: 9 weeks to 17
years). Seventeen (40 per cent) of the children had underlying chronic
medical conditions [tabulated in the original text]; the previous medical
status for 4 (10 per cent) children was unknown. Among the 21 patients who
had no underlying chronic medical condition, 5 had invasive bacterial
co-infections, including 3 caused by methicillin resistant _Staphylococcus
aureus_ (MRSA), one by _Streptococcus pneumoniae_, and one by Group A
streptococcus. 3 children with underlying chronic medical conditions had
invasive bacterial co-infections -- one each with MRSA, _Streptococcus
pneumoniae_, and _Neisseria menigitidis_.

Influenza vaccination status was available for only 7 patients; 5 (aged 1
year, 14 months, 20 months, 3 years, and 8 years) were not vaccinated; 2
(aged 21 months and 5 years) received 1 dose of influenza vaccine; however,
their previous vaccination history was unknown. Influenza A viruses were
isolated from 11 (26 per cent) patients.
Figure

Date: Thu 18 Dec 2003
Source: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2003; 52(50); 1232-4 Fri 19 Dec

<http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5250a5.htm>


United States: influenza activity update: 7 to 13 Dec 2003
- ----------------------------------------------------------
Influenza activity in the United States continued to increase during the
period 7 to 13 Dec 2003, The proportion of patient visits to sentinel
providers for influenza-like illness (ILI) overall was 7.4 per cent, which
is above the national baseline of 2.5 per cent.