CDC influenza surveillance report no. 57, April 13, 1960

Abstract

"Since the publication of the last CDC Influenza Surveillance Report No. 56, February 26, l960, the number of outbreaks of influenza and influenza-like diseases reported has diminished markedly. During the past 4 weeks, no reports of epidemic influenza have come to the attention of the Surveillance Section, CDC. The current analysis of influenza and pneumonia mortality, as reported from 108 United States cities, reveals that mortality due to these causes is again below the epidemic threshold, thus ending an unexpectedly high epidemic wave that extended over the preceding 13 weeks. As will be shown in Section III, the amount of excess mortality during the Winter 1959-60 epidemic was greater than in either of the waves of excess mortality associated with the 1957-58 Asian pandemic although the combined total of excess mortality of the two waves exceeded the excess mortality during the past Winter. A summary of data relating to the laboratory characterization of strains of influenza virus received at the WHO International Influenza Center for the Americas has been prepared by Dr. Roslyn Q. Robinson, Virus and Rickettsia Section, CDC, Montgomery, Alabama, and is included in this issue. During the first three months of 1960, epidemic influenza was reported from widespread areas of Europe and Scandinavia, as well as the Far East. Type A2 influenza virus has been identified in association with many of these outbreaks. This will be the last Influenza Surveillance Report of the current series. Although the surveillance of acute respiratory diseases will be issued, barring unusual developments, until the Fall of 1960. The Surveillance Section wishes to take this opportunity to thank all those who contributed so effectively to the surveillance of influenza during the recent outbreak and in making the influenza surveillance program operative in assessing the trends of epidemic influenza within the United States." - p. 2I. Summary of information-- II. Review of influenza in the United States, Winter, 1960 -- III. Current analysis of influenza and pneumonia mortality -- IV. 1960 Influenza virus isolates -- V. International notesApril 13, 1960.This report was prepared by Theodore C. Eickhoff, M. D., Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer, Surveillance Section, Epidemiology Branch, CDC."For administrative use." - cover"Information contained in this report is a summary of data reported to CDC by State Health Departments, Epidemic Intelligence Service Officers, collaborating influenza diagnostic laboratories, and other pertinent sources. Much if it is preliminary in nature and is primarily in nature and is primarily intended for those involved in influenza control activities. It is understood that the contents of these report will not be released to the press, except by the Office of the Surgeon General, Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. State Health Officers, of course, will judge the advisability of releasing any information from their own state." - cove