Reports were received from 102 schools, with a total population of 85,809 students. The absenteeism rate was 5.43%. This rate is down from 8.69% the week before.
Reports were received from 49 nursing homes with a total population of 7,578. The reported influenza-like illness rate was 1.41%, down from 1.52% the week before.
Reports were received from 46 hospital emergency departments. During the 24 hour surveillance period, a total of 5,133 patients were seen, of which 6.20% were being seen because of a respiratory influenza-like illness. This figure was down from 7.74% the week before.
In the past week, there have been no new viral cultures positive for influenza reported.
Nationwide, since October 1, 65% of influenza specimens typed have been A, and 35% have been B. Of those typed as A, 97% were H1N1 and 3% were H3N2. Of the H1N1, 97% were similar to the A New Caledonia strain that was included in this year's vaccine. The remaining 3% were similar to A Bayern. Although the A Bayern strain is antigenically distinct from the A New Caledonia strain, there is good cross-reactivity between the antibody produced by the A New Caledonia vaccine component and the A Bayern virus, thus this year's vaccine should provide good protection against A Bayern. All H3N2 virus isolated was antigenically similar to the A Panama strain included in this year's vaccine. Of the influenza B viruses isolated,28% have been antigenically similar to B Beijing which was included in this year's vaccine. The remaining 72% have been antigenically similar to B Sichuan which has good cross-reactivity with B Beijing. Thus this year's vaccine is providing good coverage against the virus strains known to be circulating in the United States at this time.
Influenza-like activity has continued at lower levels during the past week. Reported influenza-like activity has not reached outbreak levels. This activity is similar to what is being reported from the rest of the United States. Although influenza-like activity has been at lower levels during the past few weeks, the influenza season is not over and it is still possible that influenza-like illness may increase again in all parts of New Jersey in the coming weeks.
Northeastern New Jersey
| Schools | Nursing Homes | Emergency Departments |
|
| % Absent | % with ILI | % visits with ILI | |
| Bergen | NR | NR | NR |
| Essex | 4.29 | 0.00 | 10.30 |
| Hudson | 2.86 | NR | 5.70 |
| Middlesex | 3.11 | 0.33 | 5.21 |
| Monmouth | 4.81 | 0.23 | 3.60 |
| Passaic | 15.73 | 2.35 | 0.00 |
| Union | 10.13 | 2.22 | 5.22 |
| Regional Total | 5.52 | 1.06 | 7.41 |
Northwestern New Jersey
| Schools | Nursing Homes | Emergency Departments |
|
| % Absent | % with ILI | % visits with ILI | |
| Hunterdon | 3.76 | 1.74 | 0.00 |
| Mercer | 5.34 | 9.68 | NR |
| Morris | 2.80 | 0.27 | 0.90 |
| Somerset | NR | NR | NR |
| Sussex | NR | NR | NR |
| Warren | 6.26 | 2.53 | 3.16 |
| Regional Total | 4.45 | 1.72 | 1.20 |
Southern New Jersey
| Schools | Nursing Homes | Emergency Departments |
|
| % Absent | % with ILI | % visits with ILI | |
| Atlantic | 5.85 | 1.58 | 6.06 |
| Burlington | 3.20 | 0.00 | 2.35 |
| Camden | 7.63 | 0.27 | 5.22 |
| Cape May | 3.38 | 3.68 | 8.11 |
| Cumberland | NR | NR | NR |
| Gloucester | 7.23 | 3.05 | 5.13 |
| Ocean | 6.31 | 0.00 | 3.42 |
| Salem | 5.42 | 1.31 | 1.85 |
| Regional Total | 5.86 | 1.43 | 4.77 |
| Statewide Total | 5.43 | 1.41 | 6.20 |
NR = no report