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Influenza Report
Influenza activity continues to be widespread in California and in Napa County. Of note, there is an increasing proportion of activity due to influenza A(H3N2) viruses and a CDC health advisory was sent nationwide last week. In week 12 of 2019, the number of visits related to influenza-like illness (ILI) was at 4.2% at Queen of the Valley Medical Center. There have been three confirmed outbreaks, two ICU cases and three deaths to date.
Patients with ILI symptoms who are hospitalized, severely ill, or at higher risk for complications should be treated as soon as possible with a neuraminidase inhibitor antiviral agent (e.g., oseltamivir, zanamivir) as per CDC and CDPH recommendations, regardless of flu test results. Healthcare providers are also strongly encouraged to continue to vaccinate patients.
For outpatients at lower risk of flu complications, consider testing for influenza using PCR prior to prescribing antiviral treatment. Please note that there will be more false negative rapid influenza tests due to the higher prevalence of influenza in the community.
Healthcare providers should continue to report the following using the Confidential Morbidity Report to the Communicable Diseases Control Program at (707) 299-1499.
- any influenza or acute respiratory illness outbreaks
- lab-confirmed influenza deaths in patients aged 0-64 years
- lab-confirmed influenza ICU cases in patients aged 0-64 years
- RSV deaths in children <5 years of age
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