Influenza activity has begun to decrease from its peak over the last month.  Regional influenza activity was reported in Minnesota for the week of March 16th to March 22nd (Week 12).

Reported influenza outbreaks in long-term care facilities continued to decline.  Eleven outbreaks were reported by Minnesota long-term care facilities last week.

Go to:  http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/flu/stats/index.html to see a graph of how our current long-term care flu season compares to the previous two flu seasons.

Each year in the U.S., an average of 36,000 people die and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized due to influenza.  In Minnesota, hundreds of people, young and old, are hospitalized each year due to complications of influenza.  It is one of the leading causes of death for people 65 and older.

For more Minnesota-specific flu information, see:

Influenza Activity:  Graphs and charts to help you quickly see how much flu is in Minnesota, which parts of Minnesota have been hardest hit, and how Minnesota compares to the nation.

Laboratory Seasonal Influenza Information:  MDH encourages providers and laboratories to send influenza isolates and specimens from suspected influenza patients to their laboratory for confirmation.  This is important so that circulating strains can be identified.

MDH Flu Web Site:  Lots of valuable information, forms, posters, and resources!

Doug Beardsley
952.851.2489
dbeardsl@careproviders.org

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