CDC Flu Map: Week Ending 01/12/2013

During week 2 (January 6-12), influenza activity remained elevated in the United States, but decreased in some areas.

Viral Surveillance: Of 12,360 specimens tested and reported by collaborating laboratories, 3,638 (29.4%) were positive for influenza.

Pneumonia and Influenza Mortality: The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) was above the epidemic threshold.

Influenza-Associated Pediatric Deaths: Nine influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported.

Influenza-Associated Hospitalizations: A cumulative rate for the season of 18.8 laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalizations per 100,000 population was reported. Among all cases, 49.6% were in adults 65 years and older.

Outpatient Illness Surveillance: The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) was 4.6%; this is above the national baseline of 2.2%. All 10 regions reported ILI above region-specific baseline levels. Thirty states and New York City experienced high ILI activity; 10 states experienced moderate activity; 7 states experienced low activity; 3 states experienced minimal activity, and the District of Columbia had insufficient data.

Geographic Spread of Influenza: Forty-eight states reported widespread geographic influenza activity; 2 states reported regional activity; the District of Columbia reported local activity; Guam reported no influenza activity, and Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands did not report.

CDC Flu Map: Week Ending 01/05/2013

Synopsis:

During week 1 (December 30-January 5), influenza activity remained elevated in the U.S., but may be decreasing in some areas.

Viral Surveillance: Of 12,876 specimens tested and reported by U.S. World Health Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) collaborating laboratories, 4,222 (32.8%) were positive for influenza.

Pneumonia and Influenza Mortality: The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) was slightly above the epidemic threshold.

Influenza-Associated Pediatric Deaths: Two influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported. One was associated with an influenza A (H3) virus and one was associated with an influenza A virus for which the subtype was not determined.

Outpatient Illness Surveillance: The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) was 4.3%; above the national baseline of 2.2%. Nine of 10 regions reported ILI above region-specific baseline levels. Twenty-four states and New York City experienced high ILI activity; 16 states experienced moderate ILI activity; 5 states experienced low ILI activity; 5 states experienced minimal ILI activity, and the District of Columbia had insufficient data.

Geographic Spread of Influenza: Forty-seven states reported widespread geographic influenza activity; 2 states reported regional activity; the District of Columbia reported local activity; 1 state reported sporadic activity; Guam reported no influenza activity, and Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands did not report.

Amber Alert Canceled for 2-Year Old Houston Girl

The Houston Police Department has canceled the Amber Alert issued for 2-year-old Alizae Rene Mata who disappeared with a family friend.

The child was found late Thursday night.
Alizae Mata's mother allowed Jessenia Saldana, 22, to take her daughter to run errands. Saldana did not return with the child.

Alizae and Saldana were found at an apartment complex about 11:30 p.m.

AMBER ALERT: 2-YEAR OLD HOUSTON, TEXAS GIRL

The Houston Police Department has issued an Amber Alert for missing 2 year-old Alizae Rene Mata. She was last seen with a family friend, 22 year old Jessenia Saldana, at 10:00 pm, Wednesday night. The suspect was last seen wearing blue jeans cut off at the knees & a dark blue or black hoodie jacket in Houston. The child is approximately 2 feet tall, weighs 35 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes. The suspect does not own a car but is known to ride Houston Metro buses.
Missing Child
Name:
Alizae Rene Mata
Hair Color: Brown Eye Color: Brown
Skin Color: Hispanic Age: 2 years-old
Height: 2 feet 0 inches Weight: 35 pounds
Gender: Female
Description: The child's date of birth is 6/23/2010.
Suspect
Name: Jessenia Saldana
Hair Color: Eye Color:
Skin Color: Age: 22 years-old
Gender: Female
Description: The suspect was last seen wearing blue jeans cut off at the knees and a dark blue or black hoodie jacket.

Amber Alert Canceled for 2-Year Old Crosbyton, Texas Girl

It is with heavy heart that I must report that the body of 2-year old Leah Marie Aguirre has been found in the basement of a home at 502 S. Ayrshire in Crosbyton, according to Crosbyton Police Chief Greg Parrot. Parrot claims Leah's body was found in a box in the basement wrapped in plastic and intentionally hidden.

AMBER ALERT: 2-YEAR OLD CROSBYTON, TEXAS GIRL

An Amber Alert has been issued for 2-year old Leah Marie Aguirre of Crosbyton, Texas. She has brown hair and brown eyes.

Police are looking for a Hispanic male named Miguel. He has with brown hair and brown eyes. The child was abducted by the suspect from her home on January 3. The suspect went to the home posing as a case worker from Child Protective Services. He took the child and has not been seen since. It has been verified he is not an employee of CPS.

He is believed to be driving a red Ford Focus.

Crosby County Sheriff's deputies have confirmed they are investigating the possibility the child's mother had been trying to sell the baby to someone in Mexico.


If you have information, please contact Crosbyton Police Department, 806-368-1926 or 911.

Today's Factoid

Scientists voiced concern in 2012 about how radiation may be affecting humans after a recent finding of mutant butterflies in Japan with abnormal legs, eyes, wings and other mutations were discovered. The mutations were caused by radiation from the Fukushima nuclear accident which was triggered by a major tsunami in March 2011. The tsunami was a direct effect of an earthquake.

CDC Flu Map: Week Ending 12/29/12

During week 52 (December 23-29), influenza activity increased in the U.S.

Viral Surveillance: Of 9,363 specimens tested and reported by U.S. World Health Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) collaborating laboratories, 2,961 (31.6%) were positive for influenza.

Pneumonia and Influenza Mortality: The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) was below the epidemic threshold.

Influenza-Associated Pediatric Deaths: Two influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported and were associated with influenza B viruses.

Outpatient Illness Surveillance: The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) was 5.6%; above the national baseline of 2.2%. Nine of 10 regions reported ILI above region-specific baseline levels. New York City and 29 states experienced high ILI activity; 9 states experienced moderate ILI activity; 4 states experienced low ILI activity; 6 states experienced minimal ILI activity, and the District of Columbia and 2 states had insufficient data.

Geographic Spread of Influenza: Forty-one states reported widespread geographic influenza activity; 7 states reported regional activity; the District of Columbia reported local activity; 1 state reported sporadic activity; Guam reported no influenza activity, and Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and 1 state did not report.