Human infections with a novel strain of influenza A H3N2
have been identified in 11 people across 5 states: West Virginia (1), Indiana
(2), Pennsylvania (3), Maine (2), Iowa (3). Most case have been mild illness,
but three of were hospitalized for influenza; all have recovered. Novel H3N2
originated in pigs, and combines genes from swine, avian, and human influenza
viruses, including the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus. Epidemiology of the
identified novel H3N2 clusters is suggestive of person-to-person transmission
These novel influenza H3N2 viruses are substantially
different from currently circulating seasonal (human) influenza A H3N2 viruses,
and they are distantly related to human influenza viruses that circulated among
people in the 1990s. For that reason, it appears that children elementary
age and younger may have a higher likelihood of contracting this strain than
older individuals who may have some existing partial immunity
In order to enhance our surveillance, the Bureau of
Epidemiology has released new guidance for influenza specimen submission for
sentinel providers. This new guidance is intended to increase the submission of
specimens taken from children. Below are guidance documents for each type of
sentinel provider in Florida: Influenza Incidence Surveillance Project (IISP)
providers, ILINet Super-Sentinel providers, and ILINet providers. This guidance
is for surveillance purposes, and is only intended for registered
sentinel providers.
