Current Trends
Update: Influenza -- United States, 1988-89 Season
Most influenza viruses reported during the 1988-89 influenza
season
have been type B. However, the number of states reporting influenza
A
viruses increased substantially from December 31, 1988, to January
31,
1989. Most of the reported influenza A viruses have been subtype
H1N1.
As of January 27, influenza type B viruses were reported from 38
states*, influenza A(H1N1) from 22 states**, and influenza A(H3N2)
from
seven states*** this season. Each of these influenza viruses have
also
been reported from the District of Columbia. Outbreaks of
influenza-like illness have occurred in schools, universities,
nursing
homes, and other group-living facilities. Culture-confirmed
outbreaks
have been associated with influenza B viruses and both subtypes of
influenza A viruses.
Reported by: Participating state and territorial epidemiologists
and
laboratory directors. Influenza Br and Epidemiology Office, Div of
Viral Diseases, Center for Infectious Diseases, CDC.
Editorial Note
Editorial Note: Virus cultures should be obtained during
outbreaks of
influenza-like illness to assess the appropriateness of amantadine
therapy. Use of amantadine, an antiviral drug effective against
only
influenza A viruses, may be considered for prophylaxis or treatment
of
influenza until results of culturing are known (1).
An increased risk for Reye syndrome in children and teenagers when
aspirin is used to treat influenza symptoms has been reported in
years
when type B influenza has predominated (2,3). Parents, teenagers
and
children who self-medicate, and health-care workers should be aware
of
this possible serious complication associated with aspirin use.
References
ACIP. Prevention and control of influenza. MMWR
1988;37:361-4,369-73.
2.Hurwitz ES, Barrett MJ, Bregman D, et al. Public Health Service
study of Reye's syndrome and medications: report of the main study.
JAMA 1987;257:1905-11.
3.CDC. Reye syndrome surveillance--United States, 1986. MMWR
1987;36:689-91.
*Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado,
Connecticut,
Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri,
Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon,
Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah,
Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin.
**Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware,
Hawaii,
Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New
York,
North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas,
Washington,
Wisconsin.
***Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, New York,
Pennsylvania.
Disclaimer
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**Questions or messages regarding errors in formatting should be addressed to mmwrq@cdc.gov.
