The North Carolina Division of Public Health (DPH) reports no influenza activity for the week ending 10-15-11. The CDC reports influenza activity is currently low in the Northern Hemisphere, with Australia reporting that its flu season appears to have peaked and is decreasing.

Physicians and practices can go find more information about flu activity in North Carolina at: http://www.flu.nc.gov/flu/.

As the 2011-2012 flu season gets underway, the Hanover-Pender County Medical Society (NHPCMS) is urging area health care professionals to be immunized against influenza. The call comes in a letter that was drafted after Paul Kamitsuka, MD, an infectious disease physician, expressed concerns about the lack of influenza immunization among staff in long-term care centers in the area. The letter was jointly signed by NHPCMS President Philip M. Brown, Jr., MD, and New Hanover County Health Department Director David E. Rice, MPH, MA. It was sent to area health care professionals, agencies, schools and others with direct person-to-person contact with a patient, student or client. Read the letter here.