Arkansas’ weekly flu report, released Tuesday, noted a third death in the state last week from influenza-like illness (ILI).
Arkansas reported “Sporadic” activity to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for geographic spread of influenza, and “Low” or 5 out of 10 for ILI intensity.
Since September 29, 930 positive influenza tests have been reported to the ADH online database by health care providers, with over 180 positive tests reported last week. Reported cases reflect only a portion of the actual numbers of flu cases in the state.
Among flu antigen tests that can distinguish between influenza A and B virus types, 71 percent were influenza A, and 29 percent were influenza B.
There were 13 positive PCR flu tests from private labs last week. Five tested positive for influenza A, seven tested positive for influenza B, and one tested positive for both A and B.
At the ADH lab, one sample tested negative for influenza this week.
About 2.5 percent of patients visiting emergency rooms were there for ILI. About 2.8 percent of outpatient visits were for ILI.
The average school absenteeism rate last week was 5.3 percent among public schools.
To date, no nursing homes in Arkansas have reported influenza outbreaks.
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