Eye on Influenza -- Influenza Viruses Continue to Circulate in Orange County

February 2, 2018 Volume 6

Influenza Viruses Continue to Circulate in Orange County

Current Situation:

Although influenza viruses continue to circulate, overall activity has steadily decreased since week 1 (ending 1/6/2018). Influenza activity is likely to continue for months and Orange County residents are encouraged to be vaccinated if they still haven’t received the 2017-18 vaccine. To date, 60 severe cases of influenza (less than 65 years of age and hospitalized in intensive care or who died) have been reported in Orange County; eleven of the sixty severe cases were reported as influenza-associated deaths. Influenza A/H3 continues to be the most frequently identified influenza virus in specimens tested by Orange County Public Health Laboratory.

Can influenza viruses be transmitted by just breathing?

A study recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests it may be easier to spread influenza viruses than previously thought. Researchers found that influenza virus can be aerosolized by ill cases during natural breathing, without coughing or sneezing. These findings highlight the importance of staying home and out of public places (i.e. work, school) to prevent influenza’s spread.

Link: http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2018/01/17/1716561115

Acute myocardial infarction following lab-confirmed influenza infection:

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine examined the potential risk of a heart attack following influenza infection. Patients with influenza were six times more likely to have a heart attack in the first 7 days after virus detection when compared to the year before having influenza or the rest of the year after. The risk was highest in the elderly (≥65 years of age) and for patients with influenza B.

Link: http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1702090

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