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Flu activity level 'low'

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The number of flu-related deaths this season remains at 2 as the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) reported this week that activity indicators for the disease is low.
ADH produces a Weekly Viral Respiratory Diseases Report for
clinicians. The report provides information on Influenza, COVID-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
activity in the state. The report also compares activities in Arkansas to the U.S. ADH receives reports of
only a fraction of COVID-19 cases and flu cases since it only requires reports of flu hospitalizations, deaths,
and outbreaks. RSV is not a reportable disease in Arkansas. Therefore, it is important to understand that the
information in the weekly update is representative of the timing and location of activity, but it does not
reflect the overall disease burden. It is presumed that there are many more people actually affected than the
report shows. Clinicians and policymakers may find the report helpful in terms of communicating to
colleagues and patients about the current status of viral respiratory diseases in the state and nationwide.
Report Key Points for Week 49:
• Arkansas reported “Low” or 5 out of 13 for the Influenza-Like-Illness (ILI) activity level indicator
determined by data reported to ILINet.
• Hospital Emergency Department visits reported through Syndromic Surveillance were at 2.61% for
Influenza-Like-Illness (ILI), 1.52% for COVID-Like-Illness (CLI), and 0.72% for Respiratory Syncytial

Virus (RSV).
• Outpatient visits for ILI reported through ILINet from the Sentinel Providers were at 2.60%.
• Arkansas Children’s Hospitals and associated clinic locations in central and northwest Arkansas report RSV
test positivity at 22% and Mycoplasma pneumoniae test positivity at 8%.
• The average school absenteeism rate last week was 6.87% among public schools.
• Arkansas reported 2 influenza-related deaths this season, and a total of 136 deaths in 2023-24 season,
including 1 pediatric. Of these, 66% were not vaccinated.
• Nationally, CDC estimates that there have been at least 35 million illnesses, 400,000 hospitalizations, and
21,000 deaths from flu in 2023-24 season.
• Arkansas reported no COVID-19-related deaths this week and a total of 761 deaths in 2023 and 484 since
01/01/2024. The weekly deaths reflect week reported or processed, not date of death.
• This flu season, 2 influenza outbreaks have been reported from nursing homes or other congregate setting
institutions. In 2023-24, Arkansas investigated 41 outbreaks.
• Nationally, the proportion of deaths reported to the National Center for Health Statistics that were attributed
to pneumonia, influenza and COVID-19 (PIC) was below the epidemic threshold this week.



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