2012-13 SC Flu Activity and Surveillance
Based on last year’s data, it is estimated that 10 percent of the South Carolina population (about 400,000 people) will have flu by the end of this year’s flu season.
Weekly S.C. Flu Update
Week of May 5- May 11, 2013 (MMWR Week 19): Sporadic
Read the complete Flu Watch: SC's Weekly Surveillance Report (pdf): Updated 5/15/13
- Previous weeks' Flu Watch
- S.C. 2011-12 End of Season Flu Report (pdf)
- S.C. 2010-11 End of Season Flu Report (pdf)
S.C. 2009-10 End of Season Flu Report (pdf)- 2011-2012 Weekly Surveillance Reports
- 2010-2011 Weekly Surveillance Reports
- 2009-2010 Weekly Surveillance Reports
- 2008-2009 Flu Maps
- 2007-2008 Flu Maps
- 2006-2007 Flu Maps
- 2005-2006 Flu Maps
- 2004-2005 Flu Maps
- Reporting Forms and Worksheets
U.S. Flu Activity
Visit the CDC's website for national statistics on flu.
International Flu Activity
Visit the World Health Organization’s website for information on worldwide outbreaks of influenza.
Current Pandemic Phase
As part of its preparedness plan, the World Health Organization (WHO) has defined six stages of a pandemic.
We are currently in the sixth stage, Post Pandemic, for H1N1, the flu pandemic that began in 2009. The 2009 H1N1 virus is expected to continue to circulate as a seasonal virus.
What is Influenza (Flu) Surveillance?
Each year, DHEC and U.S. public health experts monitor influenza (flu) and other diseases. This activity is called disease surveillance.
Influenza (flu) surveillance allows DHEC and the CDC to see what impact flu is having on the health of residents. Surveillance helps us to:
- Determine whether the influenza virus is what is causing flu-like symptoms (Sometimes other conditions have influenza-like symptoms but are not influenza.)
- Understand which new flu viruses are circulating in South Carolina (The types of influenza virus that infect people often change from one flu season to the next.)
- Tell us when the influenza virus first appears in the state, and also when it decreases,
- Determine where in the state the influenza virus is circulating
- Understand what types of vaccines are most likely to succeed the following year.
Surveillance can tell us the trend of influenza in South Carolina, but it cannot tell us exactly how many cases of influenza there are in the state. This is because not everyone who gets the influenza goes to the doctor to get tested, and we have no way of monitoring these unreported cases of flu.
In South Carolina, influenza surveillance consists of several components. Each component provides different types of information about influenza; together, they create a solid overview of influenza activity in the state.
Information for Healthcare Professionals
- SC Health Alert Network - for the latest advisories and updates about influenza
- S.C. List of Reportable Conditions (pdf) Unusual clusters of respiratory illness are reportable by hospitals and physician offices by phone based upon DHEC’s current list.
- CDC Flu Website
- Avian Flu Information for Health Care Professionals (CDC)
Other Flu Resources
S.C. Pandemic Preparedness
- South Carolina's Mass Casualty Plan (Includes the state's plans for the Strategic National Stockpile and Pandemic Influenza)
- Public Health Preparedness (DHEC)
Avian Influenza
- International Avian Influenza Informatiom (WHO)
- Avian Flu Information (CDC)
- Avian Influenza Information (Clemson Livestock and Poultry Health)
- Avian Flu Information for Health Care Professionals (CDC)
- (DHEC) Avian Flu Information
Cleaning and Disinfecting
- Cleaning and disinfecting schools to prevent influenza outbreaks
- Prevention strategies for influenza in health care settings
- Antimicrobial products registered for use against influenza A virus on hard surfaces (pdf)
Travelers’ Health
Vaccines
- General Flu Immunization Information (DHEC)
- General Immunization Information (CDC)
- Vaccine Information (FDA)
If you have additional questions about the flu or flu vaccine, please call 1-800-27SHOTS (1-800-277-4687) or visit the CDC’s Seasonal Influenza website or Flu.gov.