Influenza
Welcome to ADPH's Influenza Surveillance website. ADPH is monitoring the strains circulating and where disease activity is reported. September 2019, ADPH began receiving reports of influenza activity. As of the first week in October, one district (East Central) is already experiencing significant influenza activity, and there are sporadic reports coming in from other areas of the state.
Latest News
- If you have not already done so, Get Vaccinated! Influenza season has officially begun, and Alabama already has districts where influenza is circulating.. The quadrivalent vaccine, which protects against four (quad) strains, is the only vaccine available that provides protection against Influenza B (Yamagata).For more information visit: Flu & Pneumonia Vaccines
- Looking for the top 10 things everyone can do to help prevent the flu? Do10!
- Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices - United States, 2019-20 Influenza Season
- For more informaiton about influenza activity in the U.S., visit CDC FluView
Influenza in Alabama
- View Alabama's Weekly Influenza Report (updated weekly reports are available October thru May). Regular updates will resume for the 2019-20 Influenza Season beginning October 1, 2019.
- View Alabama's Influenza Surveillance Map to see current activity
- View Alabama's Overall Influenza Activity
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Influenza-like Illness (ILI) Data Reported to Alabama Department of Public Health (as of 10/16/2019) |
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Districts |
Week Ending October 12 |
Week Ending October 5 |
Week Ending September 28 |
Week Ending September 21 |
|
Northern |
1.77% |
1.60% |
1.31% |
1.26% |
|
Northeastern |
1.89% |
1.40% |
1.89% |
1.23% |
|
West Central |
1.92% |
2.30% |
1.72% |
1.78% |
|
Jefferson |
2.49% |
1.20% |
0.98% |
1.13% |
|
East Central |
2.56% |
3.60% |
4.01% |
2.82% |
|
Southwestern |
1.74% |
2.70% |
2.31% |
1.75% |
|
Southeastern |
1.50% |
2.10% |
1.63% |
1.24% |
|
Mobile |
1.76% |
1.30% |
0.57% |
1.40% |
|
*ILI threshold for significance in Alabama (Season 2019-20): 3.3% |
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How To Get Involved
ILINet
- 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.
- 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 any individuals with ILI who are pregnant, hospitalized, have recently traveled internationally, or have had contact with bird/poultry flocks or pigs/swine.
- In addition to influenza testing, the BCL has the capability to detect 16 additional respiratory pathogens including their subtypes:
- *RSV (A and B)
- Coronavirus (229E, OC43, NL63, and HKU1)
- Human metapneumovirus
- Rhinovirus/enterovirus
- Adenovirus
- Parainfluenza (1, 2, 3, and 4)
- Human bocavirus
- Chlamydophila pneumoniae
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae
- 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.
- View “Why Influenza Surveillance Needs You” for a quick guide about why facility participation is important.
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
- The Flu: A Guide for Parents (CDC) - English
- The Flu: A Guide for Parents (CDC) - Spanish
Page last updated: October 16, 2019
