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CDC: Most of U.S. reports normal flu activity, but pockets remain

Most of the United States reports normal levels of flu activity, but pockets linger in some areas. UPI/Bill Greenblatt
Most of the United States reports normal levels of flu activity, but pockets linger in some areas. UPI/Bill Greenblatt | License Photo

ATLANTA, April 19 (UPI) -- Most of the United States reports normal levels of flu activity, but pockets linger in some areas, federal health officials say.

The weekly flu report of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta said of 3,802 specimens tested, 9.3 percent were positive for influenza for the week ending April 13.

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Only 1-of-10 regions reported influenza-like illness at or above region-specific baseline levels -- Region 1, which includes Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Vermont experienced moderate influenza-like illness activity, Hawaii experienced low influenza-like illness activity and 48 states and New York City experienced minimal influenza-like illness activity.

Ten pediatric deaths were reported for a seasonal total of 126 pediatric influenza-related deaths. One death was associated with an influenza A (H3) virus and occurred the week ending March 16, one death was associated with 2009 H1N1 virus and occurred during the week ending March 30 and one death was associated with an influenza A virus for which the subtype was not determined and occurred the week ending March 23.

Seven deaths were associated with influenza B and occurred during weeks ending Feb. 23, March 16, March 23, April 6 and April 13.

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Thirty-four pediatric deaths were reported during the 2011-12 flu season, 122 in the 2010-11 flu season and 282 during the H1N1 2009-10 flu season.

Widespread influenza activity -- more than 50 percent of a state reporting flu activity -- was reported by Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York.

Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania reported regional influenza activity, while Alaska, Arizona, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Virginia reported local influenza activity and 33 states reported sporadic influenza activity.

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