Influenza

Welcome to ADPH's Influenza Surveillance website. ADPH is monitoring the strains circulating and where disease activity is reported.

Latest News

• Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices - United States, 2018-19 Influenza Season
• Influenza-associated Deaths
• An Outbreak of Seasonal Influenza
• Avoid getting and spreading the flu to others; telephone your health care provider unless symptoms are severe
• Seasonal Influenza A (H3N2) Activity and Antiviral Treatment of Patients with Influenza

Looking for the top 10 things everyone can do to help prevent the flu? Do10!

For more information about who should and should not get the vaccine: Flu & Pneumonia Vaccines

Influenza in Alabama

• View Alabama's Weekly Influenza Report (updated weekly reports are available October thru May). Regular updates will resume for the 2018-19 Influenza Season beginning October 1, 2018. 
• View Alabama's Influenza Surveillance Map to see current activity

Influenza in the U.S. 

• CDC FluView

It is not too late to get vaccinated! For those who have not received their annual influenza shot, the quadrivalent vaccine, which protects against four (quad) strains, is the only vaccine available that provides protection against Influenza B (Yamagata). 

Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) Data

As part of the CDC’s U.S. Outpatient Influenza-Like Illness Surveillance Network (ILINet), healthcare providers in Alabama report the number of patients with ILI by age group and the total number of patients seen each week. ILI is defined as fever that is greater than or equal to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius) AND cough and/or sore throat (in the absence of a known cause other than influenza). There is no requirement for a positive influenza test when determining the number of patients with ILI.

No outbreaks of influenza or ILI were reported in the state this week. 

If you are interested in becoming an ILINet participant, please email Infectious & Outbreaks Diseases Division, call 1-800-338-8374, or complete and fax the ADPH ILINet Application.

Viral Surveillance

ADPH's viral surveillance depends on hospitals and healthcare providers to voluntarily submit specimens from ILI patients to BCL throughout the year for influenza detection and subtype information. Influenza specimen submissions from healthcare providers help answer the questions of where, when, and what influenza viruses are circulating. ADPH requests that hospitals submit specimens for admitted patients with ILI and all physicians submit specimens for pregnant patients with ILI, as well as recent international travelers with ILI.

Any provider can submit influenza specimens for BCL testing. To find out more about ordering a flu kit, specimen collection, and shipping instructions, see the Quick Guide for Influenza Specimen Submission or the detailed Guidance for Lab Testing for Influenza Viruses.

CDC Influenza Control and Outbreak Guidelines

• Schools and Childcare Providers - Educators and staff can help slow the spread of colds and flu. On this page, you will find information on preventing the flu as well as materials and tools for schools
• Institutional Outbreaks and Infection Control - Guidelines for various settings, respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette
• Long-term Care Facilities - Consolidated guidance on influenza outbreak management and prevention

Additional Information for Health Professionals

• Packing and Shipping of Influenza Specimens
• Influenza (Flu) Viruses (CDC)
• Influenza A (H7N9) Virus Information (CDC)
• Influenza A (H3N2) Variant Virus (CDC)
• Fact Sheet: Protect Yourself Against H3N2v (CDC)
• Prevention Strategies for Seasonal Influenza in Healthcare Settings
• FluView - A Weekly Influenza Activity and Surveillance Report
• Determine if it's the Flu or Ebola
• Influenza or ILI for Long-term Care Facilities - Control Measures

Page last updated: September 28, 2018