DATA AND SURVEILLANCE

The above surveillance data is current as of November 14, 2020. The trends in the Syndromic Surveillance and Sentinel Providers panel have a break as there will be a MMWR Week 53 this season. The graphs are best viewed in Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.

From the Respiratory Disease Epidemiologist - November 22, 2020

Influenza activity remains low in West Virginia. Weekly laboratory detections of influenza viruses have been sporadic (<5 positive tests per week), and the percentage of patient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) reported by hospital emergency departments is low. The only influenza surveillance indicator that has been elevated any time this influenza season has been the percentage of patient visits for influenza-like illness reported by our sentinel provider network. This is not likely due to true influenza virus transmission but rather continued spread of COVID-19 (which can have similar symptoms to influenza) and significant changes in healthcare seeking behaviors over the pandemic.

Getting your influenza vaccination this year is especially critical in order to prevent a "twindemic" of influenza and COVID-19 this winter. Influenza vaccination not only prevents influenza illnesses but also lessens the severity of influenza illness and prevents associated hospitalizations and death. Find a location providing influenza vaccinations at vaccinefinder.org. Check with your local health department or health system, as they may be conducting drive-thru vaccination events.

Influenza-like illness (fever with cough or sore throat) can be caused by several respiratory pathogens including the novel coronavirus. The CDC has guidance for what to do if you get sick with either influenza or COVID-19, including what emergency signs warrant immediate medical attention. For more information regarding COVID-19 and the novel coronavirus, please visit coronavirus.wv.gov.

Printable Surveillance Graphs