Idaho 2009 H1N1 Weekly Update: November 4
Reports of influenza-like illnesses are widespread throughout the state. This coincides with the national report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in which most states are reporting widespread activity.
H1N1 Vaccine: As of November 3, Idaho has been allocated a total of 165,200 doses* of 2009 H1N1 vaccine. Initial shipments are being distributed directly to full-service hospitals, community health centers and local public health districts. Idaho’s allotment is being distributed statewide on a population basis, with new shipments arriving weekly. People should check with their local Public Health District’s website, or call their Health District for clinic information and site locations. (*Vaccine allocation numbers can change daily; allotments by the CDC are made on a day-to-day basis.)
Infections and Hospitalizations: Since Sept. 1, the average age of lab-confirmed H1N1 infections in Idaho is 18. Only a small portion of people infected with influenza are tested and receive laboratory confirmation. The Idaho Bureau of Laboratories is only testing people who are hospitalized or high-risk for flu complications, although private labs are submitting results for positive cases. Lab-confirmed reports are an indicator of flu activity, but portray only a fraction of total infections. Keeping that in mind, the overall number of laboratory-confirmed infections continues to increase, along with the number of people hospitalized for H1N1 infections. During the past week, 78 additional lab-confirmed infections have been reported. Since September 1st, a total of 302 hospitalized cases of influenza have been reported.
Deaths: H1N1 infections have contributed to the reported deaths of 11 Idahoans. Reports of additional deaths are under investigation to determine whether H1N1 is a factor. Health and Welfare will update www.panflu.idaho.gov with the number of reported lab-confirmed 2009 H1N1-associated deaths as those become available.