The NC Department of Public Health reported this week that five flu-associated deaths occurred during the influenza surveillance reporting week ending March 5, 2011 (week 9). The victims included a child and four adults. During the period, health officials reported noticeable decreases in both the percentage of outpatient visits as well as emergency department visits due to ILI for the third consecutive week. The geographic spread of influenza in the state was lowered from widespread to regional. For more information, visit http://www.flu.nc.gov/ or http://www.cdc.gov/flu.