Description

Purpose: To understand when and where influenza activity is occurring, to monitor influenza-related illness, outbreaks, hospitalizations, and deaths, and to determine circulating and emerging influenza virus strains. Key Information: Geographic spread and activity level of influenza in the state, laboratory test results, and influenza-related hospitalizations and deaths. Influenza-like-illness (ILI) is defined as patients with a fever over 100°F with cough and/or sore throat (unless there is a known cause other than the flu). Collection Period: Data is collected and analyzed weekly throughout the flu season from October to May. How data are collected The Department of Health has a number of methods for gathering data. This includes gathering reports on the number of patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) from a sample of sentinel physicians and collecting data from hospitals throughout the state. The services of the State Health Laboratory are used to determine the circulating strains of influenza. Additionally, a staff of epidemiologists work with CDC guidance to determine flu activity levels.

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