Epidemiology, Surveillance and Laboratory
2009 H1N1 Influzena
As of October 1, 2009, 1412 confirmed cases of 2009 H1N1 have been reported throughout Massachusetts. This represents an additional 6 cases reported since the last update on September 24, 2009. Since September 28, 2008 [the official beginning of the 2008-2009 flu season], there have been 22,815 additional reports of influenza, including both seasonal influenza and influenza of unknown type. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is no longer reporting the national total of confirmed cases of H1N1 and is instead focusing on hospitalized cases and deaths. Nationally, influenza-like illness (ILI) continues to increase, with all regions except New England reporting activity above regional baselines. Please visit the CDC's website for up-to-date information (www.cdc.gov/h1n1). Massachusetts ILI activity is described in the next section of this report.
Table 1. Confirmed H1N1 cases in Massachusetts, as of October 1, 2009
| Age In Years |
Age Group (N) |
Age Group (%) |
Female (%) |
Pregnant (N) |
Hospitalized (N) |
Hospitalized (%) |
Deaths (N) |
Non-H1N1 Influenza by Age Group (N) |
0-4 |
201 |
14.2 |
38.81 |
0 |
37 |
18.41 |
0 |
3801 |
5-12 |
392 |
27.8 |
41.84 |
0 |
31 |
7.91 |
0 |
7440 |
13-18 |
292 |
20.7 |
47.26 |
6 |
20 |
6.85 |
1 |
4484 |
19-25 |
141 |
9.99 |
65.25 |
18 |
20 |
14.18 |
2 |
2197 |
26-44 |
227 |
16.1 |
68.72 |
30 |
30 |
13.22 |
3 |
2919 |
45-64 |
141 |
9.99 |
63.12 |
0 |
34 |
24.11 |
4 |
1457 |
65+ |
17 |
1.2 |
70.59 |
0 |
10 |
58.82 |
1 |
362 |
Unknown |
1 |
0.07 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
155 |
TOTAL |
1412 |
~~ |
51.63 |
54 |
182 |
12.89 |
11 |
22815 |
As shown in Table 1 above, school-aged individuals (5-18 years) have been primarily affected by H1N1, with over 63% of cases age 18 or younger. The median age of cases is 14 and cases ranged from 0 to 84 years. To date, males and females have been equally impacted by H1N1. Overall, 182 cases have been hospitalized (13%), which is similar to the national hospitalization rate of 11% as of July 10, and 11 cases have died. Of the 11 deaths, 8 had underlying conditions.
Public Information
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced the death of a 55 year-old female from Middlesex County related to H1N1. The patient had multiple underlying health conditions.
“It is with great sadness that we have learned of the first death of a Massachusetts resident within the state related to H1N1 flu this fall. We extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of this individual,” said DPH Commissioner John Auerbach. “While most cases of H1N1 in Massachusetts and across the nation have been relatively mild, this news demonstrates once again how serious flu can be.”
Certain groups of people are at higher risk of complications for the H1N1 flu. These groups include: children and young adults up to the age of 24, pregnant women and people with chronic underlying health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease. These people should call their doctor immediately to discuss appropriate treatment if they develop a fever with a cough, sore throat or runny nose.
Precautions to help stop the spread of flu include:
- Get vaccinated against both H1N1 and seasonal flu.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Cover your cough/sneeze with a tissue, or cough/sneeze into your inner elbow and not into your hands.
- If you are sick, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever goes away. This means no fever for at least 24 hours after you have stopped taking any fever-reducing medication.
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