Week ending 20 January 2018 (week 3) Flu continues to rise in week 3, and it is still too early to determine if this season has peaked. There was an increase of 35% in positive influenza B specimens and a 10% in- crease in influenza A specimens since week 2. This pattern of gaining influenza B cases is typically seen in the latter part of flu seasons, though according to the World Health Organi- zation (WHO), several Northern Hemisphere countries have reported early, brisk influenza B activity. Since last week, the number of influenza-associated hospitalizations has increased 30% with a total of 18 reports. Recommendations are still in place to wash hands frequent- ly, get vaccinated and vaccinate children, avoid close contact with sick people, and seek treatment within 48 hours of symptom onset. Additional Resources: Army Influenza Reports; ARD Reports; AFHSC Influenza Reports; NHRC FRI Reports; DoD Global Influenza Surveillance Program; DoD Pandemic Influenza Watchboard; CDC Key: ILI-Influenza-Like Illness; DRSi- Disease Reporting System Internet; NHRC- Naval Health Research Center; ADV-Adenovirus; RSV-Respiratory Syncytial Virus; DED- Disease Epidemiology Division; SM-Service Member Questions? Email APHC DEP 410-436-7605 *Data Source: MEDPROS, ASIMS, MRRS INFLUENZA-ASSOCIATED HOSPITALIZATIONS DEMOGRAPHICS Influenza Vaccination Coverage* As of 25 January 2018 N/A DoD 95% Army Active Duty 87% Army Guard 79% Army Reserve SUMMARY AD: In week 3, there was a total of 281 positive respiratory illness specimens from Active Duty (AD) Service Members; 50% (140) from individuals in the 18-29 age group, followed by 33% (92) in the 30-39 age group, 13% (39) in the 40-49 age group, 3% (9) in the 50-59 age group, and one 60+. Non-AD: A total of 1477 positive respiratory illness speci- mens were among non-AD beneficiaries, with the majority of specimens from individuals under the age of 18 (60%, 880). In week 3, widespread influenza activity was reported to the CDC by Puerto Rico and 49 states. Regional activity was re- ported by Guam, local activity was reported by the District of Columbia and Hawaii, and the US Virgin Islands reported sporadic activity. In the military population, ten (56%) hospitalizations were reported from RHC-C, five (28%) from RHC-P, and three (16%) from RHC-A. In week 3, 18 influenza-associated hospitalizations were re- ported in DRSi; 15 non-AD individuals and 3 AD. The ages of the hospitalized individuals ranged from <1 to 63 years old*. Ten cases (56%) were not vaccinated, and four (22%) were vaccinated. In the same week last year, three cases were reported in DRSi. This season there has been a total of 64 hospitalizations; 54 non-AD and 10 AD. By this time last sea- son, twenty hospitalizations were reported in DRSi. *DRSi does not capture cases older than 65 years old for influenza-associated hospitalizations. Click to enlarge image GEOGRAPHIC SPREAD