CDC: 11 states have widespread H1N1

ATLANTA, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Eleven states report widespread influenza activity, down from 14 states a week earlier, U.S. health officials said Friday.

The weekly flu surveillance report, completed during flu season by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says for the week ending Dec. 11, 20 states reported regional influenza activity, and 11 states reported local influenza activity.

For the week of Dec. 6-12, nine confirmed influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported. The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness was 2.6 percent, which is above the national baseline of 2.3 percent. Five of the 10 regions reported influenza-like illness at or above region-specific baseline levels.

Seasonal influenza A H3N2 and influenza B viruses co-circulated at low levels with influenza A H1N1, or swine flu.

Regions 3, 6, 8 and 10 reported influenza-like illness below their region specific baselines. Region 3 includes: Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Region 6 includes: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

Region 7 includes: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska, while Region 8 includes: Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. Region 10 includes: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.