Update: influenza activity--United States, January 4-10, 2004

The number of states reporting widespread influenza activity continued to decrease during the reporting week of January 4-10, 2004. Health departments in 20 states and New York City reported widespread influenza activity. A total of 24 states reported regional activity, three states reported local activity, and sporadic activity was reported by two states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. The percentage of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) continued to decrease in all surveillance regions during the week ending January 10, with an overall national percentage of 2.8%. This percentage is above the national baseline of 2.5%. The percentage of specimens testing positive for influenza also decreased; however, the percentage of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) continued to increase.